QL 

684 

N7R25 


REED 


BIRDS  OF  NEW  YORK 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


V     /  ''    U 

6W  YorK 

tf       i 


THE  GIFT  OF 

FLORENCE  V.  V.  DICKEY 

TO  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
AT  LOS  ANGELES 


THE  DONALD  R.  DICKEY 

LIBRARY 
OF  VERTEBRATE  ZOOLOGY 


WILD  BIRDS 

-OF- 

NEW  YORK 

BY 
CHESTER  A.  REED,  S.  B. 

40  COLORED  ILLUSTRATIONS 


MOHONK  SALESROOMS 

MOHONK  LAKE,  N.  Y. 

1912 


Copyrighted,  1912 

Chas.  K.  Reed 
Worcester,  Mass. 


550773 

BIRDS  OF  NEW  YORK 

This  little  book  is  not  expected  to  give  everyone  a  com- 
plete history  of  the  birds  of  this  state.  To  do  so  would 
require  an  immense  volume.  But  it  is  designed  to  bring  to 
the  attention  of  the  reader  the  most  common,  the  most  inter- 
esting and  the  most  valuable  birds  and  to  create  an  inter- 
est which  it  is  hoped  will  be  the  means  of  starting  many  on 
a  more  extended  study  of  our  most  interesting  fauna.  In 
the  last  few  pages  is  a  quite  complete  list  of  New  York 
birds  and  concise  data  in  regard  to  their  occurrence. 

As  might  be  expected  considering  the  size  and  location 
of  the  state,  a  very  great  many  species  occur  or  have  been 
taken  here.  The  sandy  beaches  and  mud  flats  of  Long 
Island  furnish  an  ideal  retreat  or  resting  place  for  all  sorts 
of  water  fowl  and  shore  birds. 

The  Carolinian  Area  of  the  Austral  Zone  extends  to  Long 
Island  and  the  Lower  Hudson  Valley;  hence  a  great  many 
southern  species  occur,  species  that  otherwise  would  be 
very  unusual  in  this  latitude,  such  as  Kentucky,  Hooded  and 
Worm-eating  Warblers.  The  greater  part  of  the  state  is 
in  the  Alleghanian  Area  of  the  Transition  Zone  and  pro- 
duces all  the  species  that  should  occur  in  this  latitude, 


6 

while  many  boreal  species  are  commonly  found  in  the 
Canadian  Area  of  the  Boreal  Zone  which  is  found  in  our 
mountains.  Added  to  the  birds  of  regular  occurrence  in 
various  parts  of  the  state,  are  those  which  have  strayed 
here  by  accident  or  through  wanderlust;  many  such  are 
recorded,  some  being  European  birds  and  others  from  our 
southern  or  western  states. 

While  many  species,  especially  water  and  game  birds 
and  birds  of  prey,  have  steadily  decreased  in  numbers,  it  is 
believed  that  many  others,  especially  warblers  and  sparrows 
are  more  abundant  now  than  formerly.  If  our  agricultur- 
alists will  only  be  a  little  less  zealous  in  cutting  off  all  dead 
limbs  which  are  required  by  woodpeckers  and  titmice,  if 
they  will  avoid  when  possible  late  plowing,  early  mowing 
and  grass  burning  and  if  they  will  leave  entrances  to  their 
barns  for  swallows  and  to  their  sheds  for  phoebes,  many 
species  will  not  only  hold  their  own  but  increase  in  num- 
bers and  be  worth  more  than  their  weight  in  gold  in  the 
end.  Birds  are  now  recognized  as  a  great  state  and  national 
asset.  If  we  all  do  our  part  in  protecting  them  and  teach- 
ing their  value  to  others,  we  can  make  this  asset  a  perma- 
nent and  increasing  one. 


Everybody  knows  and  likes  ROBINS. 
They  are  desirable  birds  in  every  re- 
spect,— handsome  in  plumage,  sweet 
songsters  and  valuable  not  only  be- 
cause of  the  good  cheer  their  presence 
carries  with  it  but  because  they  destroy 
quantities  of  insects  that  are  destruc- 
tive to  our  crops,  our  trees  and  our 
lawns.  In  reality  they  are  not  Robins 
at  all  for  the  Robins  are  only  Old  World 
birds,  but  they  properly  belong  to  the 
Thrush  family. 

They  are  really  to  be  classed  as  mi- 
grants although  a  few  of  them  remain 
here  throughout  the  winter.  In  March, 
they  again  come  in  numbers,  frequent- 
ing our  lawns,  shade  trees,  roadsides 
and  orchards. 

Who  has  not  watched  a  pair  of  these 
favorites  racing  over  the  sward,  each 
alternately  running  a  few  steps  then 
pausing  to  listen;  every  few  minutes, 
one  will  hesitate,  peck  sharply  at  the 
ground  and  bring  forth  a  long  angle- 
worm. Robin  nests  are  mud  and  grass 
affairs  placed  usually  on  limbs  or  in 
crotches  of  trees  rarely  on  fence  posts, 
porches  or  other  unusual  places. 

Included  in  the  Thrush  Family  are  some  of  our  very 
sweetest  songsters,  such  as  the  Robin,  the  Hermit  and  Wood 
Thrushes.  All  birds  of  this  family  are  quite  remarkable 
because  their  young  in  the  first  plumage  have  their  breasts 
spotted  with  blackish  and  their  backs  marked  with  whitish, 
even  though  those  of  their  parents  are  plain.  All  our  east- 
ern thrushes  agree,  too,  i-n  that  their  eggs  are  some  shade 
of  blue,  usually  unmarked. 

Although  a  few  BLUEBIRDS  pass  the  winter  in  the 
state,  chiefly  in  warm  swamps,  they  are  usually  regarded 
as  migrants  and  their  return  in  spring  is  eagerly  awaited. 
They  come  the  latter  part  of  February  and  their  cheery 
warbles  greet  us  from  orchard  and  roadside.  As  Bur- 
roughs, in  his  charming  manner,  explains  in  "Wake  Robin": 
-"When  Nature  made  the  Bluebird  she  wished  to  propi- 
tiate both  the  sky  and  the  earth,  so  she  gave  him  the  color 
of  one  on  his  back  and  the  hue  of  the  other  on  his  breast, 
and  ordained  that  his  appearance  in  spring  should  denote 
that  the  strife  and  war  between  these  two  elements  was  at 
an  end.  He  is  the  peace-harbinger;  in  him  the  celestial  and 
terrestrial  strike  hands  and  are  fast  friends." 

Cavities    in    trees    or    posts    furnish    suitable    home    sites 


8 

WOOD  THRUSHES  are  the  largest 
and  handsomest  of  the  true  thrushes, 
easily  distinguished  from  any  other 
either  by  plumage  or  by  song.  From 
a  musical  standpoint  the  song  of  this 
species  has  few,  if  any,  competitors. 
The  clear  full  notes  are  given  with  an 
undertone  that  gives  the  effect  of  a 
stringed  accompaniment.  It  appears  to 
be  a  sort  of  yodling  tune,  using  all  the 
vowels,  like  a-e-o-lu,  uoli-uoli-uoli-a-e- 
o-lee."  Reproductions  of  Mrd  song's  in 
print  never  can  give  anyone  an  ade- 
quate idea  of  even  the  simplest  song, 
but  after  the  song  has  once  been  heard, 
the  written  version  will  at  once  recall 
it  to  mind.  The  favorite  haunts  of 
these  birds  are  damp  woodlands,  along 
brooks  or  in  swamps;  occasionally  too 
they  will  take  up  their  quarters  in  the 
shrubbery  of  estates  and  may  be  some- 
times seen  feeding  on  the  lawns,  but  as 
a  rule  I  have  found  that  they  are  glad 
to  keep  a  safe  distance  from  humans. 
Their  nests,  composed  of  leaves,  grass 
and  some  mud,  are  placed  rather  low  in 
forks  of  bushes  or  trees. 

within  which  to  lay  their  very  pale  blue  eggs  and  rear  their 
young.  They  are  real  sociable  chaps  and,  provided  that 
English  Sparrows  are  properly  suppressed,  will  occupy 
bird  houses  or  boxes  in  our  very  dooryards. 

The  true  Thrushes  are  represented  by  several  species, 
most  conspicuous  of  which  are  the  Wood,  a  picture  of  which 
is  shown  here,  the  Hermit,  the  Olive-backed  Thrushes  and 
the  Veery.  Of  these,  the  first  and  last  are  common  summer 
residents  and  the  Hermit  breeds  locally,  chiefly  in  moun- 
tainous regions.  These  four  Thrushes  are  very  easily  iden- 
tified, the  Wood  by  the  many  round  black  spots  on  its 
breast;  the  Hermit  by  its  olive  back,  rufous  tail  and  lightly 
spotted  breast ;  the  Olive-backed  by  its  uniform  olive  colored 
upper  parts;  and  the  Veery  by  its  uniform  bright  rufous 
upper  parts  and  very  faintly  streaked  breast. 

While  the  two  species  are  sometimes  seen  in  the  same 
locality,  as  a  rule  Wood  Thrushes  are  birds  of  larger,  moist 
woods  or  swamps  and  VEERIES  most  often  found  in  more 
open  woods  or  thickets.  While  the  song  of  the  Veery  can- 
not compare  with  those  of  the  more  gifted  Wood  and  Her- 
mit Thrushes,  it  is  one  to  readily  command  attention,  a  loud, 
round,  ringing,  echoing,  descending  spiral,  not  in  the  least 


The  tiniest  of  our  winter  resident  are 
GOLDEN-CROWNED  KINGLETS, — lit- 
tle mites  but  four  inches  in  length; 
scarcely  bigger  than  hummingbirds  yet 
capable  of  enduring  our  most  severe 
cold  weather.  Some  of  them  wander 
through  cities  and  towns  gleaning  a 
scanty  .fare  of  insect  eggs  and  pupae 
from  shrubs  and  trees,  but  the  major- 
ity pass  the  winter  in  pines  where  they 
can  obtain  much  better  shelter. 

The  voice  of  this  species  corresponds 
to  its  size, — just  a  faint,  high-pitched 
"tsip,"  audible  but  a  few  yards  away. 
In  spring  and  summer  they  utter  a 

§ueer  little  song  consisting  of  half  a 
ozen  very  shrill,  high-pitched  notes 
and  ending  in  a  short  warbling, — a  song 
that  would  suggest  a  warbler  but  that 
is  very  different  from  that  of  any  of 
our  warblers. 

Their  nests  are  rather  bulky,  semi- 
pensile  structures  of  twigs,  mosses, 
rootlets  and  feathers  in  coniferous 
trees.  The  interior  is  so  deep  that  noth- 
ing can  be  seen  of  the  sitting  bird. 


resembling  that  of  any  other  bird.  The  Veery  nest  is  made 
of  stripes  of  bark  and  dead  leaves,  on  the  ground  or  within 
a  few  inches  of  it.  The  four  deep  blue  eggs  are  almost 
constantly  covered  by  the  little  mother  for  well  she  knows 
that  while  they  might  attract  the  attention  of  passers  by, 
her  colors  so  harmonize  with  the  surrounding  leaves  that 
there  is  little  danger  of  her  discovery. 

With  the  exception  of  Robins  and  Bluebirds,  all  thrushes 
are  rather  timid,  shy  and  retiring,  prefering  deep  woods 
rather  than  the  open.  For  this  reason  it  is  difficult  to  posi- 
tively recognize  some  of  the  less  common  species  as  they 
pass  through  on  their  biannual  pilgrimages. 

On  cold  wintry  days,  should  we  venture  into  the  woods, 
tiny  lisping  voices  may  greet  us  from  the  dense  tops  of  pine 
trees.  The  authors  are  difficult  to  discover  but  if  we  per- 
severe we  will  make  them  out  to  be  wee  little  birds  scarcely 
bigger  than  the  thumb,  by  name  Golden-crowned  Kinglets. 
If  we  chirp  to  them  we  may  arouse  their  curiosity  enough 
to  bring  them  down  where  we  can  get  a  good  look  at  them. 
How  can  such  tiny  mites  keep  the  spark  of  life  aglow  when 
the  mercury  is  hovering  below  zero? 

Another 'little  Kinglet,  the  RUBY-CROWNED,  is  wiser 


10 

WHITE-BREASTED  NUTHATCHES 
are  acrobatic  tree  climbers.  They  may 
be  seen  running  over  trunks  or  limbs  of 
our  woodland  trees  in  all  conceivable 
positions.  We  are  accustomed  to  say 
that  woodpeckers  have  stiffened  tail 
feathers  to  assist  them  in  clinging  to 
and  climbing  trees,  yet  here  is  a  bird 
with  no  special  development  of  tail  or 
feet  which  is  incomparably  better,  for 
not  only  do  they  climb  upward  faster 
but  they  can  run  down  tree  trunks, 
head  first,  equally  as  easily. 

The  term  Nuthatch  is  derived  from 
the  supposed  habit  of  European  spe- 
cies of  "hatching"  at  or  hacking  nuts 
to  get  at  the  kernels.  It  would  have 
to  be  a  very  thin  shelled  nut  for  our 
species  to  break  but  he  is  an  adept  at 
prying  up  pieces  of  bark  to  get  at  eggs 
or  larvae  of  insects  that  are  hidden  be- 
neath. As  might  be  expected  of  birds 
which  are  constantly  about  the  large 
limbs  or  trunks  of  trees,  Nuthatches 
nest  in  cavities.  The  usual  note  of  this 
species  is  a  nasal  "yank,  yank,"  but  in 
spring  they  utter  a  loud,  rapid,  tenor 
"hah-hah-hah-hah-etc." 

for  he  spends  the  winter  far  enough  south  to  escape  severe 
cold  and  only  returns  in  spring  to  spend  a  few  days  with 
us  while  the  warblers  are  passing  north.  We  find  this  spe- 
cies chiefly  in  pines  from  the  tops  of  which  their  delightful 
songs,  surprisingly  loud  and  clear  for  such  tiny  creatures, 
float  down  to  us. 

Some  birds  are  climbers,  some  clingers,  some  creepers 
and  some  flutterers,  but  Nuthatches  are  more  than  all  these, 
they  are  acrobats  of  the  highest  order.  The  whole  woods 
are  their  gymnasiums  and  every  tree  is  part  of  their  appa- 
ratus. With  the  exception  of  enlarged  toe  nails,  Nuthatches 
are  not  apparently  better  adapted  for  an  athletic  life  than 
many  other  birds  but  no  others  can  equal  the  ease  and  agil- 
ity with  which  they  clamber  up,  down  and  around  branches 
or  tree  trunks. 

Of  our  two  species,  the  White-breasted  Nuthatch  is  the 
most  abundant  and  is  resident  throughout  the  year.  RED- 
BREASTED  NUTHATCHES,  which  may  be  recognized 
not  only  by  their  smaller  size  and  ruddy  under  parts,  but 
by  the  black  stripe  on  each  side  of  the  head,  are  abundant 
during  migrations  and  many  of  them  nest  in  mountains. 
They  frequent  coniferous  trees  almost  exclusively. 


11 


HOUSE  WRENS  are  the  best  known 
of  our  wrens.  They  cannot  help  being 
seen  or  heard. 

The  song  of  the  House  Wren  is  a 
most  spontaneous  outburst  and  can  only 
be  described  as  a  loud,  liquid,  bubbling 
warble.  The  most  pessimistic  person 
living  could  not  listen  to  this  song  and 
watch  the  actions  of  the  singer  without 
taking  a  brighter  view  of  life. 

It  is  very  interesting  to  watch  them 
while  nest  building.  Their  sites  are 
holes  in  trees,  fence  posts,  bird  houses, 
etc.  It  is  customary  for  them  to  use 
many  twigs,  sometimes  quite  lengthy 
ones;  an  experienced  wren  will  carry 
such  by  the  end  and  find  no  difficulty 
in  getting  it  through  the  small  opening 
to  their  home,  but  sometimes  one  not 
as  wise  will  fetch  a  stick  by  the  mid- 
dle and  its  contortions  as  it  tries  to  get 
inside  or  to  get  the  twig  in,  are  very 
interesting.  The  hollow  of  the  nest  is 
lined  with  grass  and  feathers  to  make 
a  soft  bed  for  the  numerous  eggs. 


The  family  of  Titmice  is  well  represented  by  our  com- 
mon CHICKADEE.  Chickadees  are  most  sociable  birds 
among  themselves,  with  other  species  and  also  with  man. 
In  winter  they  will  come  about  our  houses,  provided  we 
have  trees  in  our  yard,  gleaning  insect  eggs  and  pupae  from 
the  twigs  and  feeding  upon  suet  and  nuts  that  many  kind 
people  put  in  suitable  places  for  them.  Often  they  become 
so  tame  that  they  will  alight  on  the  hand  and  feed  from  the 
palm.  Who  could  help  loving  such  saucy  little  midgets  with 
black  caps  and  bibs,  as  they  swing  from  the  tips  of  the 
branches  and  call  cheerily  to  us  with  a  "chickadee-dee-dee." 
Sometimes,  too,  they  whistle  to  us,  a  clear,  high-pitched 
"phe-be." 

In  summer,  they  make  homes  by  digging  out  cavities  of 
decayed  limbs,  sometimes  in  orchard  trees,  again  in  trees 
by  the  roadside,  but  most  often  in  old  birch  stumps  in  small 
woods.  They  are  very  cleanly  in  their  habits  at  all  times. 
This  is  well  shown  by  the  condition  of  the  nests  even  when 
a  stump  of  small  diameter  is  occupied  by  a  large  number 
of  young. 

The  Wren  family  is  a  very  musical  one.  Of  our  several 
representatives,  the  best  known  is  that  boisterous  species 
known  as  the  HOUSE  WREN,  or  more  familiarly  as 


12 

Our  black-capped,  gray  CATBIRD  is 
familiar  to  nearly  everyone.  Even 
should  anyone  not  know  the  bird  he 
would  immediately  call  it  a  Catbird 
once  he  heard  its  mewing  call.  Thick- 
ets and  briers  are  the  favorite  resorts 
of  this  species.  While  his  mate  is  busy 
with  household  cares,  the  male  spends 
a  great  deal  of  time  in  the  tops  of  one 
of  the  higher  bushes-  composing  new 
songs.  Catbirds  are  not  as  good  a 
mimic  nor  as  pleasing  songsters  as 
Mockingbirds,  although  but  few  of  our 
birds  can  equal  or  excel  them.  Their 
performance  is  spoiled  somewhat  by  the 
introduction  of  various  harsh  or  squeal- 
ing and  cat-calls. 

They  arrive  from  the  south  about  the 
first  of  May  and,  with  very  little  delay 
or  confusion,  become  mated  and  com- 
mence building  their  nests  of  twigs  and 
rootlets  in  some  thicket.  The  four  eggs 
that  constitutes  a  set  are  a  bright 
greenish-blue,  much  deeper  colored 
than  those  of  Robins. 

"Jenny  Wren."  They  always  seem  to  me  like  animated, 
feathered  music  boxes,  filled  almost  to  the  bursting  point 
with  melody.  They  are  well  named  House  Wrens  for  they 
are  seldom  found  far  from  habitations  and  prefer  to  make 
their  homes  in  orchard  trees  or  in  bird  boxes  erected  for 
them  on  the  premises. 

In  late  fall  and  early  spring  and  sometimes  during  the 
winter  we  may  see  a  tiny  brown  bird  with  up-turned  tail 
creeping  about  through  walls,  piles  of  brush  or  in  thickets. 
This  also  is  a  wren,  the  WINTER  WREN.  If  we  approach 
too  closely  in  order  to  get  a  better  view,  he  will  dive  down 
into  the  brush  and  scold  with  a  deep  chattering  note.  In 
spring,  our  attention  may  sometimes  be  attracted  to  them 
by  a  loud,  clear,  ringing  and  business-like  song  that  is,  per- 
haps, a  better  performance  than  that  of  the  House  Wren 
but  given  less  often  and  without  the  unrestrained  enthusiasm 
of  the  latter  bird.  A  few  Winter  Wrens  nest  in  mountain- 
ous or  higher  portions  of  our  range  but  the  majority  of 
them  pass  beyond  our  border  to  Canada. 

The  large  CAROLINA  WREN,  which  is  so  abundant  and 
noisy  in  our  southern  states  occurs  north  locally  to  southern 
New  England  and  New  York. 

Our  three  representatives  of  the  Thrasher  family,  the 
Catbird,  Brown  Thrasher  and  Mockingbird,  are  wonderful 


IS 

REDSTARTS  are  the  most  active  of 
the  fly-catching-  warblers.  They  are 
not  passive  waiters  like  true  flycatchers 
but  dash  hither  and  yon,  high  and  low, 
snatching  insects  from  the  air,  from 
the  foliage  or  from  the  ground.  Their 
nervous  activity  is  constantly  shown  by 
the  opening  and  closing  of  their  hand- 
somely marked  tails  and  the  fluttering 
of  the  wings.  When  not  engaged  in 
feeding  or  singing,  the  male  is  often 
to  be  seen  chasing  his  mate  or  other 
birds  about  the  tree  tops,  not  in  a  pug- 
ilistic but  in  a  playful  manner. 

Redstarts  arrive  from  the  south 
about  May  4th,  their  coming  being  her- 
alded by  a  flashing  of  orange  and 
black  through  the  trees  or  by  an  ener- 
getic jingling  "ser-wee,  swee-swee- 
sweet."  If  we  watch  the  female  close- 
ly about  two  weeks  later  we  will  find 
her  gathering  fine  strips  of  bark,  plant 
down,  fibres  and  other  similar  material 
and  carrying  it  to  the  fork  of  a  tree  or 
sapling  where  she  forms  a  very  com- 
pact and  neat  nest. 

vocalists.  Indeed,  it  is  doubtful  if  any  birds  anywhere  can 
equal  the  repertoir  of  these.  MOCKINGBIRDS,  as  mimics, 
cannot  be  equaled.  For  hours  at  a  time  they  will  perch  in 
the  top  of  a  bush  and  sing  almost  steadily,  making  up  the 
song  as  they  go  along  and  taking  familiar  parts  of  the 
songs  of  many  other  birds.  Unfortunately  they  are  south- 
ern birds,  occurring  within  our  borders  only  locally  and  in 
limited  numbers.  Their  place  is  well  filled,  however,  by 
the  abundant  Catbirds  which,  although  not  nearly  as  cap- 
able songsters  as  the  Mocker,  have  few  other  species  that 
can  compare  with  them. 

BROWN  THRASHERS,  abound  in  nearly  all  first 
growth  land  and  in  bush-dotted  fields  or  pastures.  They 
are  not  mimics  like  Catbirds  and  Mockers  but  have  a  long, 
clear  and  very  pleasing  song  of  their  own, — easily  recog- 
nized because  each  phrase  or  group  of  notes  is  repeated 
twice.  The  song  is  not  only  fuller  and  richer  but  contains 
none  of  the  harsh  and  mewing  notes  such  as  the  Catbird 
likes  to  insert  into  its  lay. 

Warblers,  of  which  we  have  many  species,  are  among  our 
most  active  and  most  interesting  birds.  The  Redstart, 
which  is  shown  here,  belongs  to  a  group  known  as  Flycatch- 
ing  Warblers  as  they  have  a  habit  of  dashing  out  and  catch- 


14 

"Witchity-witchity-witch"  sing  the 
MARYLAND  YELLOW-THROAT  from 
his  retreat  in  the  thicket.  And  he  is  a 
veritable  woodland  witch,  in  the  midst 
of  every  fracas  that  starts  in  the  neigh- 
borhood, equally  happy  whether  singing 
or  scolding  and  the  Yellow-throat  can 
scold  more  roundly  than  any  bird  I 
know  unless  it  be  the  House  Wren. 
They  are  the  watchmen  of  their  haunts; 
none  can  approach  without  their  sound- 
ing the  alarm  by  a  loud  chattering,  rat- 
tling call. 

They  arrive  from  the  south  about 
May  first  and  remain  until  October.  In 
suitable  localities  they  are  one  of  the 
most  abundant  of  birds.  They  nest  on 
or  very  near  the  ground,  making  a  com- 
paratively bulky  structure  of  strips  of 
bark  and  grasses.  It  is  usually  very 
well  concealed  among1  weeds  or  young 
shoots  or  saplings  and  is  quite  difficult 
to  locate  without  flushing  the  bird. 
They  are  often  imposed  on  by  Cowbirds 
and  made  to  hatch  and  care  for  one  of 
their  young;  sometimes  we  see  them 
feeding-  husky  young  Cowbirds  twice 
as  large  as  themselves. 

ing  insects  on  the  wing  similar  to  the  manner  in  which  fly- 
catchers feed.  Others  of  this  group  are  Canada  Warblers 
and  Wilson's  Warblers.  CANADA  WARBLERS  are  very 
beautiful  in  appearance  and  are  easily  distinguished  by  the 
slate  colored  upper  parts,  the  bright  yellow  under  parts  and 
the  prominent  necklace  of  black  spots  across  the  lower 
throat.  During  migrations  they  may  occur  in  underbrush 
in  woods  or  may  visit  the  shrubbery  about  our  houses.  They 
have  a  loud,  ringing,  clearly  whistled  song  that  is  very  dis- 
tinctive when  one  becomes  familiar  with  it.  They  nest  in 
favorable  localities  throughout  Xew  England  and  New 
York.  Swampy  places  are  preferred,  especially  those  in 
which  spoonwood  or  laurel  abounds.  I  have  found  several 
nests  imbedded  in  mossy  banks  only  a  few  inches  above 
water  and  others  under  roots  of  laurel  where  suitable 
crevices  existed. 

WILSON'S  WARBLERS,  we  know  only  as  migrants. 
They  are  very  active  and  we  may  often  see  them  in  orchards 
flitting  about  apple  or  cherry  blossoms  catching  the  many 
insects  to  be  found  there.  More  of  them  may  be  seen, 
though,  if  we  hie  away  to  the  birches  along  some  body  of 
water  for  they  are  very  fond  of  such  localities. 


15 

OVEN-BIRDS  are  one  of  the  most 
abundant  of  our  woodland  warblers, 
and  during  May  and  June  their  pres- 
ence anywhere  can  hardly  be  overlook- 
ed for  they  are  very  persistent  singers 
and  the  loud  and  peculiar  song  will  at- 
tract the  attention  of  anyone.  In  type 
this  song  is  well  rendered  by  "teacher, 
teacher,  teacher,  teacher,  teacher,",  de- 
livered in  a  chanting  tone  with  a  grad- 
ually increasing  volume  towards  the 
end.  They  are  ground  warblers,  feed- 
ing chiefly  from  the  ground  and  nesting 
among  the  dead  leaves.  The  nest  is 
built  of  grasses  and  rootlets  and  is 
arched  over  the  top  with  grasses,  pine 
needles,  leaf  stems,  etc.,  shaped  like 
an  old  fashioned  Dutch  ov^n. — hence 
the  name  of  these  birds. 

Their  four  or  five  eggs  are  white 
«vith  specks  of  reddish-brown  chiefly 
about  the  large  end. 

Male  and  female  Oven-birds  are  alike 
in  plumage  and  in  color,  form  and 
markings  are  suggestive  of  thrushes, — 
hence  formerly  they  were  erroneously 
termed  "Golden-crowned  Thrushes." 

YELLOW-BREASTED  CHATS,  which  are  abundant 
in-  southern  states,  reach  their  northern  limits  in  central 
New  York  and  southern  New  England.  They  are  the 
largest  of  the  warbler  family  and  are  among  the  queerest 
of  all  birds.  The  Chat  song  is  a  wonder  and  revelation  to 
all  who  hear  it. — given  intermittantly  and  composed  of  the 
strangest  jumble  of  clear  whistles,  barkings,  quackings, 
mewings  and  croakings  that  ever  came  from  a  bird's  throat. 
They  are  mimics  of  a  high  order  and  also  seem  to  have  the 
power  of  ventriloquism  for  it  is  often  very  difficult  to  de- 
termine the  location  of  the  bird  from  his  song.  They  are 
very  shy  and.  although  we  may  be  only  a  few  feet  from 
them  in  the  tangled  thicket  of  briers,  it  is  almost  impossible 
to  catcli  sight  of  them  for  they  keep  just  beyond  our  vision 
chuckling  audibly  at  our  discomfiture.  The  Chat  may  easily 
be  recognized  because  of  its  large  size,  greenish  back,  ashy 
crown,  bright  yellow  breast  and  prominent  white  stripe 
over  the  eye. 

If  we  visit  pitch  pine  or  Jack  pine  woods  or  groves,  we 
will  probably  hear  from  some  of  the  tree  tops  a  rather 
monotonous  trill.  Search  will  reveal  a  small  quite  dull  plum- 
aged  bird  but  with  the  breast  more  or  less  brightly  tinged 
with  vellow.  It  is  the  PINE  WARBLER  one  of  the  least 


16 

Handsomest  of  all  the  warbler  tribe 
is  the  exquisite  BLACKBURIAN  WAR- 
BLER which  arrives  about  May  10th 
just  as  the  buds  of  the  white  oak  are 
commencing  to  unfurl.  If  we  wish  to 
see  them  to  the  best  advantage  we  may 
do  so  in  parks  or  in  orchards  for  there 
they  will  be  found  low  down,  but  if  we 
wish  to  be  most  certain  of  finding  them 
we  go  to  woodland  containing  white 
oaks  and  locate  them  by  means  of  their 
song.  They  will  be  found  in  the  tops 
of  the  trees  where  they  can  be  seen 
•with  difficulty,  but  you  can  count  on 
their  being  there  if  it  is  the  proper  time. 

The  Blackburnian  song  is  a  very 
characteristic  one  but  is  of  a  wiry 
character  that  requires  the  keenest  of 
ears  to  catch  as  it  floats  down  from  the 
tree  tops, — a  thin,  high  pitched  "swee, 
swee,  swee,  swee-e-e-e-e"  the  final  end- 
ing ascending  until  its  pitch  is  almost 
beyond  the  human  ear  arum  to  receive. 

Blackburnian  Warblers  nest  sparing- 
ly in  mountains  of  New  York  and  New 
England  but  most  of  them  pass  beyond 
our  borders. 

attractively  gowned  species  of  this  large  family.  Unlike 
most  species  they  are  quite  sluggish  in  their  actions,  creep- 
ing about  among  the  upper  branches  with  none  of  the 
dash  that  we  expect  from  most  warblers.  Many  birds  are 
silent  during  the  heat  of  the  summer  months  but  this  species 
trills  almost  as  freely  at  such  times  as  during  spring. 

Two  of  our  warblers  are  clothed  wholly  in  black  and 
white,  the  Black-and-White  Warbler  and  'the  Black-poll. 
BLACK  AND  WHITE  WARBLERS  are  abundant  sum- 
mer residents,  returning  to  us  about  the  latter  part  of  April. 
They  are  readily  identified  as  they  are  quite  heavily  streaked 
with  black  all  over  and  the  black  crown  has  a  central  white 
stripe.  Their  song  is  a  very  thin  and  wiry  one,  so  high 
pitched  as  to  almost  seem  like  a  hiss, — composed  usually  of 
three  syllables  each  long  drawn  out.  We  usually  see  them 
creeping  about  branches  and  trunks  of  small  woodland  trees 
with  a  celerity  nearly  equal  to  that  of  nuthatches.  Their 
nests  are  very  well  concealed  at  the  bases  of  stumps  or  sap- 
lings. BLACK-POLL  WARBLERS  arrive  late,  usually 
about  May  18th  and  pass  on  beyond  our  borders  to  breed. 
The  male  may  easily  be  distinguished  from  that  of  the  last 
species  because  the  crown  is  solid  black.  Their  notes  are 


17 

Like  bits  of  golden  sunshine,  YEL- 
LOW WARBLERS  flit  about  our  orch- 
ard and  shade  trees  as  well  as  among 
the  alders  and  willows  of  swamp  or 
brookside.  Coining  toward  the  end  of 
April,  they  remain  with  us  until  late 
in  September.  For  the  first  two  months 
the  males  sing  very  freely,  a  sharp 
"sweet,  sweet,  sweet,  sweeter."  The 
song  of  this  species  is  similar  to  that 
of  the  Redstart  and  also  the  Chestnut- 
sided  Warbler  but  anyone  soon  be- 
comes familiar  enough  with  them  to 
distinguish  that  of  each  species. 

Their  nest,  too,  is  quite  like  that  of 
the  redstart  but  usually  contains  more 
plant  down  and  less  fibres  and  bark; 
the  lining  is  usually  of  fine  rootlets  or 
hairs.  One  of  the  handsomest  nests  I 
ever  saw  was  built  almost  wholly  ex- 
ternally of  white  cotton  obtained  from 
waste  of  a  near-by  mill.  Their  eggs 
are  bluish-white,  specked  with  black 
and  umber,— easily  distinguished  since 
the  eggs  of  most  of  our  warblers  have 
a  pure  white  or  creamy  background. 

thin  and  wiry  but  consist  of  a  half  dozen  or  more  syllables 
with  a  pause  between  each  and  with  a  peculiar  rising  and 
falling  of  volume.  They  are  comparatively  sluggish  in  all 
their  actions. 

Thickets,  first  and  second  growth  land  or  clearings  are 
always  well  populated  with  CHESTNUT-SIDED  WAR- 
BLERS, birds  easy  to  name  because  they  have  a  chestnut 
stripe  on  each  side  of  the- breast  and  a  bright  yellow  crown. 
Their  song  is  similar  in  character  to  that  of  Redstarts  and 
Yellow  Warblers  but  the  differences  are  readily  apparent 
when  one  becomes  familiar  with  them.  Their  nests  are 
located  in  the  tops  of  low  bushes  a  foot  or  so  above  ground. 

One  of  the  commonest  of  spring  migrants  is  the  MYR- 
TLE WARBLER,  easily  recognized  by  their  four  yellow 
spots,  one  on  the  crown,  one  on  the  rump  and  one  on  either 
side  of  the  breast.  We  find  them  equally  abundant  either  in 
orchards  or  open  woodland.  They  have  a  deep-toned  chirp, 
unlike  that  of  any  other  species,  and  a  short,  rather  pretty 
trill. 

Another  interesting  species,  and  one  of  the  smallest  of 
the  family,  is  the  PARULA  WARBLER.  They  .were  for- 
merly known  as  "Blue  Yellow-backs"  as  the  upper  parts 
are  a  blue-gray  and  there  is  a  brownish-yellow  patch  in  the 


18 

About  the  middle  of  April,  our  woods 
may  resound  with  a  lazy,  drawling 
bird  song, — a  "per-e-o,  per-e-a"  repeat- 
ed intermittantly  with  a  slight  under- 
tone, often  interspersed  with  a  silvery 
little  trill  and  perhaps  ending  with  a 
series  of  petulant  rasping  notes.  It 
means  that  SOLITARY  or  BLUE- 
HEADED  VIREOS  have  arrived.  Dur- 
ing migration  they  may  often  be  seen 
in  orchards  as  well  as  in  the  woods,  but 
when  the  nesting  season  comes,  if  we 
would  see  them,  we  must  go  to  their 
haunts  in  remote  or  swampy  woods. 
None  of  our  Vireos,  except  the  White- 
throated,  are  timid,  but  this  species  Is 
the  most  fearless  of  all.  They  pay  lit- 
tle attention  to  your  presence  at  any 
time  and  when  nesting  they  have  sev- 
eral times  allowed  me  to  approach 
closely  enough  to  stroke  the  back  of 
the  sitting  bird.  The  nest,  which  is  a 
basket  of  strips  of  bark,  cobwebs,  moss 
and  fine  rootlets,  is  swung  from  the 
fork  of  a  bush  or  sapling.  The  three 
or  four  eggs  are  creamy-white  •with  a 
few  reddish-brown  specks  about  the 
large  end. 

middle  of  the  back;  below,  they  are  yellow,  with  a  more  or 
less  distinct  band  of  brownish  spots  on  the  chest.  When 
they  first  arrive  we  may  see  them  and  hear  their  lisping 
trills  in  orchard  or  woodland  trees;  at  this  season  they  are 
most  abundant  in  the  tops  of  young  oaks.  Later  they  re- 
tire to  many  of  our  swamps, — those  containing  dead  trees 
that  are  festooned  with  Usnea  moss.  Their  nests  are  made 
by  turning  up  the  ends  of  some  of  this  hanging  moss  and 
lining  the  hollow  so  formed  with  hair. 

Of  the  five  species  of  vireos  which  are  commonly  found 
in  our  range,  the  RED-EYED  VIREO  is  the  most  abund- 
ant. All  through  spring  and  summer  months,  the  song  of 
the  Red-eye  is  one  of  the  most  familiar  sounds  of  woodland. 
It  is  a  deliberate  but  incessant  series  of  phrases  uttered  in 
a  colloquial  manner  with  a  short  pause  between  each, — 
described  aptly  by  Wilson  Flagg  as,  "You  see  it — you  know 
it — do  you  hear  me? — do  you  believe  it?"  This  species 
usually  swings  its  basket-like  nest  at  low  elevations  from 
forks  in  bushes  that  comprise  the  undergrowth  of  wood- 
land. The  Red-eye  can  easily  be  identified  since  it  has  a 
light  stripe  over  the  eye  and  a  blackish  edge  to  the  gray 


19 

BARN  SWALLOWS  are  one  of  our 
best  known  species  since  they  are  so 
closely  associated  with  dwellings  in  our 
rural  communities.  Any  time  after 
April  15th,  they  may  be  seen  skimming 
over  pond,  meadow  or  along  country 
roads  with  that  ,grace  of  motion  pecu- 
liar to  swalows. '  They  often  alight  on 
dead  twigs,  telephone  wires  and  some- 
times on  the  ground,  but  their  feeding 
is  entirely  done  while  on  the  wing  and 
the  food  consists  almost  wholly  of  tiny 
flies  or  gnats. 

Apparently  they  remain  mated  for 
life  for  the  same  pairs  return  to  the 
same  place  year  after  year,  usually 
building  a  new  nest  ea.cn  season,  close 
to  and  often  on  the  same  site  of  the 
old.  The  nest  is  made  of  pellets  of 
mud,  fastened  to  the  side  of  a  beam  or 
rafter, — half-bowl  shaped  and  warmly 
lined  with  feathers.  Whenever  possi- 
ble, they  make  use  of  a  projecting  knot 
or  splinter  of  wood  to  help  hold  the 
nest  in  place.  The  five  or  six  eggs  are 
creamy-white,  spotted  all  over  with 
redJish-bown. 

WARBLING  VIREOS  have  a  dull  plumage  with  no  con- 
spicuous marking,  but  they  have  a  lively  warbling  song  of 
•i  few  seconds  duration  which  readily  identifies  them.  They 
are  abundant  in  orchard  and  shade  trees  and  trees  along 
the  roadside.  Their  homes  are  swung  among  the  outer 
branches  of  these  trees  usually  quite  high  above  ground. 
WHITE-EYED  VIREOS  may  be  known  because  they  do 
actually  have  white  eyes';  they  also  have  a  yellowish  ring 
about  the  eyes  and  yellow  on  the  flanks.  They  frequent 
thickets  and  brier  patches, — just  such  places  as  we  may 
find  Chats  and,  like  them,  he  is  a  skulker  rarely  seen  but  in 
evidence  by  his  loud  and  sharply  whistled  song,  which  is 
quite  varied  and  mimics  that  of  other  species. 

Earliest  of  the  swallows  to  arrive  in  spring  are  TREE 
or  WHITE-BELLIED  SWALLOWS,  which  come  the 
latter  part  of  March  or  early  in  April.  All  swallows  are  very 
useful  birds  economically,  for  their  food  is  practically  en- 
tirely of  insects. They  are  very  graceful  in  flight,  tireless  of 
wing  and  many  have  nesting  habits  of  unusual  interest. 
The  present  species  builds  in  holes  in  trees  or  in  small  bird 
houses  erected  for  them.  BANK  SWALLOWS,  a  small 
gray  species  with  lighter  underparts  and  a  band  across  the 
breast,  nest  in  holes  in  banks,  their  tunnels  extending  in 


20 

As  a  rule  brilliantly  plumaged  birds 
are  too  gaudy  and  not  as  handsome  as 
many  whose  colors  are  of  less  startling 
hues.  SCARLET  TANAGBRS  are  an 
exception  to  this  rule  and  are  not  only 
bright  colored  but  are  beautiful.  The 
colors,  scarlet  and  black,  make  a  pret- 
ty combination  and  on  this  species  there 
is  just  the  proper  amount  of  each  color 
to  get  the  best  effect. 

They  arrive  from  their  winter  quar- 
ters in  the  tropics,  the  first  week  in 
May  and  remain  until  October.  For  a 
week  or  two  after  coming  they  may  be 
seen  not  only  in  woods  but  sometimes 
on  orchard  trees  or  shade  trees  in 
cities,  but  after  they  have 'settled  down 
for  the  season,  they  are  to  be  found 
chiefly  in  woods  preferably  those  hav- 
ing occasional  pines.  They  can  always 
be  found  by  their  peculiar  song,  which 
might  be  likened  to  that  of  a  very 
hoarse  robin,  the  notes  having  a  harsh, 
grating  undertone.  Their  nests  are 
composed  of  twigs  and  rootlets,  lined 
with  very  fine  rootlets.  The  four  eggs 
are  greenish-blue,  specked  with  brown. 

one  or  two  feet  and  terminating  in  an  enlarged  chamber. 

CLIFF  or  EAVE  SWALLOWS  have  a  plumage  similar 
to  that  of  Barn  Swallow,  but  the  tail  is  not  forked,  the 
rump  is  buffy  and  the  forehead  very  lightly  colored.  This 
species  builds  a  flask-shaped  nest  of  pellets  of  mud,  at- 
taching them  on  the  outside  of  buildings  under  the  eaves 
or  on  the  faces  of  cliffs.  As  usual  with  swallows,  they  nest 
in  colonies.  Then  there  is  that  large  and  well-known 
species,  the  PURPLE  MARTIN,  the  male  of  which  is 
glossy  purplish-black  all  over.  Many  of  them  now  com- 
monly nest  in  bird  houses  erected  for  them,  but  the  majority 
cling  to  the  habits  of  their  ancestors  and  nest  in  cavities  of 
trees. 

CEDAR  WAX  WINGS  are  known  to  nearly  everyone, 
either  by  this  name  or  as  "Cherry  Birds."  Many  a  farmer 
complains  that  with  "Cherry  Birds"  and  Robins  stealing 
his  cherries,  he  is  unable  to  get  any  for  his  own  use.  True, 
they  do  like  cherries  and,  while  from  choice  they  will  take 
wild  ones,  thej^  do  damage  cultivated  ones  to  some  extent. 
But  they  can  be  frightened  away  so  that  they  will  not  re- 
turn to  certain  trees,  and  the  farmer  should  also  remember 
that  these  birds,  as  well  as  many  others  do  him  an  immense 
service  by  destroying  the  many  insects  they  do.  Cedar 


21 

While  many  birds  are  prominently 
marked  with  yellow  and  brown,  very 
few  have  any  blue  in  their  plumage.  By 
far  the  most  brilliant  of  our  blue  birds 
are  INDIGO  BUNTINGS.  They  arrive  £4 
the  first  week  in  May  and  immediately 
repair  to  their  favorite  haunts  which 
are  dry  thickets  or  patches  of  briers, 
preferably  on  hillsides.  The  males  are 
in  full  song-  when  they  arrive  and  con- 
tinue singing-  until  the  middle  of  July, 
— -long  after  most  of  our  songsters  have 
become  silent.  Their  song  is  a  very 
musical  one,  nearly  as  good  and  some- 
what resembling  that  of  the  Goldfinch 
and  recalling  certain  passages  from 
that  of  our  household  canary.  His  best 
vocal  efforts  are  always  made  from  an 
elevated  position,  usually  the  top  of 
a  bush  or  small  tree  overlooking  his 
nesting  grounds. 

The  sparrow-like  female  is  rarely 
seen  unless  we  come  close  to  her  nest, 
•when  she  will  appear  and  add  her  deep 
chirps  of  protest  to  those  of  her  mate. 
The  nest  is  close  to  the  ground  in 
brush  or  weeds. 

Waxwings  not  only  glean  vermin  from  the  branches,  but 
they  often  dash  out  after  passing  insects,  flycatcher-fashion 
Waxwings  are  handsome  birds.  In  fact  I  know  of  no 
other  species  whose  plumage  is  always  so  sleek.  They  may 
easily  be  recognized  by  their  soft  brownish-gray  plumage, 
conspicuous  crest  and  band  of  yellow  across  the  tip  of  the 
tail.  Many  male  Waxwings  have  peculiar  hard,  red,  seal- 
ing-wax-like appendages  to  the  tips  of  many  secondaries 
and  sometimes  on  the  ends  of  the  tail  feathers.  Usually 
they  are  very  quiet  and  sedate  in  their  actions  and  are  al- 
ways quite  silent ;  in  fact  their  only  note  is  a  lisping,  high- 
pitched  "tsee",  often  repeated,  but  in  such  a  soft,  hissing 
tone  as  to  be  audible  for  but  a  short  distance.  Except  dur- 
ing the  nesting  season,  which  occurs  early  in  July,later  than 
most  other  birds,  they  are  to  be  found  in  small  companies. 
Birds  frequently  feed  their  mates,  but  Waxwings  are  even 
more  chivalrous,  for  they  feed  not  only  their  own  mates, 
but  have  been  observed  when  a  number  were  in  a  cherry 
tree,  to  pass  fruit  about  from  one  to  another  several  times 
before  it  was  finally  eaten. 

The  Shrike  family  comprises  many  species,  most  of  which 
inhabit  the  Old  World.  Only  two  species  are  found  in 
North  America,  and  both  of  these  are  at  times  seen  in  our 


gyhafttcft  i'Ua,nvt!.,M>;is,ee  #.n<J..  PB«WiilH» 
[utlueru.  U;vr<.liuaJ..-.l.ui    \v-  ,Uav,o  ,-i(p  vthe 


>x-C(>U(l.;;\V,Uli    H   shuj-p.  .n'etalHr;   vhip.      1 
know    of    no     other    specie^-.  *ha>t-   thus- 
ri%tift 
.i.»ay 

ib  nft»i  Hi«a 

,  -placed 


Insects  ,  on  thorajs 

fjce  ,fEft3esr4n-;,drdep,that',thiey.  toi&J-  accomplisb 
rr  rSjtjtajstiinesiy  top,-:  their  booty  is-niereiy^  litiSg 
a.f^uture  time;,  for'  they  have  the;  habit  of" 
aft  the  time.     They  often 
s!  on  the  .  .streets- 
or   about   buildings,   becoming   sftob,QJd/!&iartii  £ea?rl^$ 


JJust    such    places   as   Indigo"  Bunt- 
are'  found;  T0WHEES  win, always 
nely    .dry    thickt'ts    and 
\^  hills.,'  'lM%e  inafe  Tow- 
but  handsomely  clothed 
though   not   gnwned  as 
"ery   pretty, 
by.  both  'sefces, 
fherink,"  :wfth 
s>;11aTiie,   -.It  'Is 
rn '  one.  of   thVfr 
fk     f>r     (' hermit, 
is     when 


i  Is 


by'th^riiale 


_____  T'wo 

take    therr  !sfa- 


o^;the'ir  fa\;oi 

forth  for1; 
and  '-a  sain  to^ 


ft'fpr'h'oars 
tin'  towards 
Gjs^Bmft  'on 

r  Hush    or    chtnlp    of 
•trg-.s'li're    finely   dot- 

^"•:  ' 

Loggerhead  Shrike,  sometimes  occur  locally  during  the  sum- 
-"ffiet'.T^ ' /Hie y^aTeisTQaHero  than  the  lafstr-species'.and  the  under 
pa«ts  "aite  ^Istm^.  ^^irite;.' ixrbtle  -the>  breasb^Jft  tne>  larger 
"spffcies'is  lightly  barred:  With  dusky.  '-:  ?^  <f.ir:i3ajoc 

Such  a  magnificent' species-  as  the  ;GARJ>I NALmustr.be 
mentioned  even  though  it  is  a  southern  species  and1  only  ^ex- 
-tends  its  range  north  to  southeastern ''Nrew  ¥ork  and  south- 
ieTPH  -New  England.  They  frequent  underbuush :  and  tHick- 
«ts  and  are  more  heard-  than; seen^fevert  int  their  southern 
-hatiiits,  where  they  are  quite  "abundant;:  Their  songs  are 
-many  and  varied,  chiefly  c6mposed"  -of*  series  of  =clear 
whistles,  sometimes: -in. couplets;  :; They  are  resident  where- 
'evet  foundf ^although 'it  seems:  very  touch  out  of  place  to 
see  birds  of  such  plumage  about  whenrthe  earth  is  covered 
with  a  white  mantle. -•:=•" ?'7 

Space  will  allow  of  but  mention -df- a  few  of  our  most 
-important  and  common  species  of  Sparrows.  Largest  of 
-these,  and  one  of  the  first  to  appear  dh:  spring,  are  FOX 
SPARROWS"  on  their  way  to  their  breeding  grounds  in 
boreal  regions.  :  They  are  as  larg^er:as  some  of  the  thrushes, 
have  a  bright  rufous  tail,  mixred  gray  and  brown  upper 
parts  and  heavily  spotted  xtnder  parts.  We -see  _or  hear 
ftheni  as  they  are  scratching  'among  the  dead  leaves;  if  we 


24 

In  a  few  places,  especially  near  the 
coast,  SONG  SPARROWS  remain 
throughout  the  winter,  that  is  a  small 
number  of  them  do.  The  majority,  how- 
ever, like  Robins  and  Bluebirds,  which 
winter  under  similar  conditions,  pass 
the  coldest  weather  in  our  southern 
states.  Early  in  March  see  them  back 
in  their  old  haunts  and  we  can  safely 
say  that  everyone  is  delighted  to  again 
hear  their  friendly  voices  uplifted  in 
song.  Their  song  is  a  very  merry  lit- 
tle jingle,  the  drift  of  which  can  be 
gotten  from  the  words,  "Maids,  maids, 
maids,  put  on  the  kettle-ettle-ettle." 
The  song  varies  indefinately  with  dif- 
ferent individuals  and  sometimes  the 
same  one  has  several  renditions,  but 
they  all  have  the  same  well  known 
twang. 

They  frequent  the  shrubbery  of  our 
yards,  roadsides  and  thickets,  building- 
their  grass  nests  either  on  the  ground 
or  close  to  it  in  bushes  or  patches  of 
weeds.  The  eggs  are  bluish-white, 
heavily  spotted  with  brown.  Song  Spar- 
rows are  easily  identified  since  the 
streaks  on  the  breast  tend  to  form  a 
distinct  blotch. 

approach  they  hop  into  view  and  chip  or  move  off  through 
the  woods  uttering  a  shrill  complaining  note  as  they  leave. 
Sometimes  we  may  hear  their  songs,  which  are  very  sweet 
and  varied,  but  their  best  music  is  reserved  until  they  reach 
their  home  lands. 

JUNCOS  or  Snow  Birds  are  abundant  during  spring 
and  fall  migrations  and  a  few  of  them  pass  the  winter  with 
us,  while  others  also  stay  and  nest  in  our  mountains.  We 
usually  see  them  in  flocks,  often  in  company  with  Fox  Spar- 
rows and  Tree  Sparrows.  Nearly  everyone  knows  them — 
gray  birds  with  white  outer  tail  feathers  and  white  under 
parts  sharply  defined  against  the  gray  breast.  Besides  a 
sharp  alarm  chip,  they  often  sing  a  very  sweet  little  trill, 
which  is  most  pleasing  when  delivered  in  concert. 

CHIPPING  SPARROWS  are  most  sociable  of  all. 
They  return  to  us  early  in  the  spring  and  take  up  their  quar- 
ters in  our  orchards  or  shrubs  about  our  houses;  sometimes 
they  even  build  their  little  nests  of  rootlets  and  hair  in 
vines  covering  our  porches.  They  are  not  in  the  least 
timid  and  will  hop  about  the  lawn  almost  at  our  feet, 
hunting  for  beetles  and  spiders.  Their  appearance,  with 
jaunty  little  brown  cap  bordered  with  black,  and  their  ways 


25 

The  thought  of  FIELD  SPARROWS 
always  recalls  to  mind  very  hot,  dry, 
weedy  and  bush-covered  hillsides  or 
thickets,  for  in  just  such  places  they 
are  always  abundant  during  summer. 
This  species  is  easily  known  because  of 
small  size,  comparatively  long  tail  and 
rufous  markings  of  head  and  sides  of 
breast.  They  are  just  as  easily  identi- 
fied by  their  fife-like  songs,  consisting 
of  five  or  six  clear  shrill  notes  of 
which  the  first  is  lower  pitched  and  the 
last  ends  in  a  little  descending  trill. 
This  song  is  continued  through  the  hot- 
test days  of  summer  when  nearly  every 
other  species  is  silent  except  perhaps 
Indigo  Buntings  and  Wood  Pewees 
both  of  which  also  like  extreme 
warmth. 

Field  Sparrows  make  their  little  fine- 
grass  nests  either  on  the  ground  or 
near  it  in  bushes  or  weeds, — just  such 
places  as  Song  Sparrows  also  choose. 
The  eggs  of  the  present  species  are 
slightly  smaller  and  much  less  coarsely 
and  profusely  spotted,  easily  identified 
even  though  the  birds  do  not  appear. 

are  captivating,  but  their  songs  are  quite  uninteresting — 
just  a  rapid,  unmusical  chippering,  which,  however,  they 
continue  singing  throughout  the  summer  months.  They  are 
very  frequently  imposed  upon  by  Cowbirds,  and  we  often 
find  a  single  egg  of  that  species  reposing  among  the  pretty 
black-specked  blue  ones  of  the  Chippy. 

Handsomest  of  all  the  family  are  WHITE-THROATED 
SPARROWS,  whose  pure  white  throat  stands  forth  like  a 
new  bib  against  the  gray  of  the  breast  and  sides  of  the 
head.  The  crown  is  handsomely  striped  with  black  and 
white  and,  to  add  a  bit  of  color,  a  spot  of  yellow  is  on 
either  side  of  the  forehead.  We  know  this  species  chiefly 
as  migrants,  but  many  of  them  remain  in  suitable  localities 
in  the  higher  portions  of  our  range.  During  the  latter 
part  of  April,  we  may  find  them  on  the  ground  or  among 
underbrush  in  open  woods,  in  parks  or  even  about  shrubbery 
in  our  gardens.  White-throated  Sparrows  have  very  pleas- 
ing and  unusual  songs — a  series  of  five  or  six  clear,  piping, 
high-pitched  whistles,  of  which  the  first  is  the  lowest. 

A  common  species  that  is  often  overlooked  is  the  GRASS- 
HOPPER SPARROW.  He  is  a  queer  little  chap  with 
short  tail  and  plump,  quail-like  form,  but  the  strangest 
thing  about  him  is  his  song,  which  is  very  insect-like  in 


£6 


DPI  NCHBS  1  are  :  so  :  we;ll:;  known 
-  -name    applies   so  'well'  to'  their; 
-color    that    it    would    Seem.  ;ve'rjf  . 
•ssary>  to;  apply'  any  other  to  triem, 
i-  of  ten    hear  them   spoken   d^A^"1 
i  \-uia  rirs''  becausre  o'f  their  excel- 
mri  -canary-like   ;son§;,     and     as" 
It-  Jjirds"   because  they  are  s;o  of.- 
nind     swaying-    on  .thistle.    h'€ia<Is.  . 
s.    thoif-full    song  -;they    utter  "'£ 
number    of    very    musical,   notes, 
^feedhrg;,  -  one  '  .often  'calls    to   an- 
'^^v^retr  S>Veet"'  or  "dearie,  dearie." 
fligm-is    very   peculiar   B.S    their 
o'n  th'e'  recovery  of  tlie  stroke  are 
1  so  -slowly  that  "the  tody  falls  a 
f  "more  between  bents;.     They  pro- 
•My  a  Series   of  bounds,   punctuat- 
ach    dip    with    a    cheerily    called 


i-kf'd 


s^riesf  late;  in  July"  or.  Aug-" 
"a  firm  cup-shaped  struc- 
g.  placed  in  tip.risht  forks, 
alders.  The  eggs  "are  u'n- 
sh-white; 


character.  These  birds  frequent  dry  fields  in  the  middle 
of ~yhieh- they  locate  tlreir- arched  nests.  TJiev-  are  quite 
shy,:but4f  one  is.arBied:vvith  a  good  pair  of  bird  glasses^he 
can  get  many  opportunities  of  studying -them  as  •  they  sing 
their  wheezy  songs,  from  the  vantage  point  of  a  stone  wall. 
In  the  =sajne  fields,  we  also  find  the  common  VESPER 
SPARROWS,  which  can, always  be  recognized  by  the  white 
outer;  tail  .featherfi  '  :These  birds-  have  a  lively -and  -attract- 
ive songj  •  combining  parts  of  /those,  of  Field  and'  •Son'g' 
Sparrows. 

During  the  winter  and  early  spring,- we  may  find  associ- 
ated .  with  flocks  of  our  Goldfinches,  two  other  kinds  of 
finches,  Pine  Siskins: and  Redpolls.  PINE  SISKINS  a*e 
very  closely  related  to:  Goldfinches,  but  are  far  from  being 
as  attractively  gowned,  when  in  their  :summer  plumage. 
The  Siskin  plumage  is  constant  at  all  seasons— a  striped 
blackish  and  buff y^  the  only  conspicuous  markings  being 
a  yellow  patch  at  the  base  of  the  primaries  and  yellow  bases 
to_the  tail  feathers.  The  markings,  however,  very  rarely 
can  be  seen  on  the.  bird  while  it  is  feeding  in  trees  above 
us<  -  Their  call  notes  and  songs  are  quite*  similar  to  those  of 
the  Goldfinch-,:  REDPOLLS  lare  most  frequently  seen 
feeding  :  upon- weed  seeds  upon  the  ground  or  close  to 'it. 
Their:  plumage  is  very  light  colored  and  striped;  they  have 


l^cPJgptiF'ttib- 

^'d"ccSft   dirty 

sTlbtf&Oyef;i«tteyf  iati  d 


•df"tfdrie  sfr^e'1.4.  •''  C-onseqiye'f] 
rarVly  !?i-»»n  pxr* pt  in  tfte 'iL-.r^u.^w,  -.>- 
oinity    of    ronifci-ons    woods     or'-1#ee!3. 
They    have    :a    rather ••'  sM-eet:1  but  'soff 

hear  'are  -t\ inking;  ^Ihistle^  as  the 'flock's 
fly  from  one  feeding  ground  to  another, 
lodrrum  r,  vd  iisouo-j  ni  ns /ij>  nsdv/'  Irvjiaufuai;  .Jon  SIB 


dense 

tivcly   f^w  ppf 

soinely ,  tioged 

but .  young i 

birds  whicl 

stout  bills,  light. |inef[ 

tiojnng-ic^il   notes.  ;;.-The,  m<ales  ;; 

"formerly, [trapped ;  and ^  caged  becapse  Q£  thfiir  beautjy  and 

song,  until., j^&,:p[]ja9$C£;.w#8  ^isely  stopped ^^0,j^^[t'^ 

late  spring  they  separate  into  pairs  and  select  their  nesting 

sites,  which;  usually  ape  jn^cpn^eflQus^jir^eSg 

GRACKLES,  commonly  known  as 
Blackbirds,  return  ~tg  :us  early  in  springy  fr/oaa  ^l,ejrr;(; 
sojourn,  in  southern  states.     They  are  nearly  always,  toi  be 
seen  in,, flocks,  an/1  alwa.ys 

and    voices.     Their   creakings,   croakings   and  'many   reedy 


28 

BALTIMORE  ORIOLES,  "Golden  Rob- 
ins" or  "Flame-birds,"  as  they  are 
sometimes  called,  are  named  not  after 
the  city  of  that  name  but  in  honor  of 
Lord  Baltimore  whose  livery  was 
orange  and  black. 

They  arrive  soon  after  May  1st,  just 
as  cherry  trees  are  in  full  bloom  and 
spend  the  first  few  weeks  in  gay  revel- 
ry and-  song.  The  duller  plumaged  fe- 
males come  a  few  days  later  and  within 
a  short  time  partners  have  been  select- 
ed and  nesting  sites  chosen.  The  nest 
of  this  species  is  quite  a  remarkable 
creation  for  a  bird  to  make. — a  long 
purse-shaped  affair,  five  to  eight  inches 
in  length,  suspended  by  the  rim  from 
the  outer  branches  of  trees, — usually 
tall  ones  and  particularly  elms.  It  is 
made  of  gray  fibres,  grasses,  string,  etc. 
and  is  so  firmly  attached  to  its  support 
that  the  old  nests  may  be  seen  for  two 
or  three  years  afterwards,  although 
the  same  one  is  never  used  twice.  The 
eggs  are  dull  bluish-white  with  black 
scrawls  chiefly  about  the  large  end. 

notes  are  not  unmusical  when  gh  en  in  concert  by  a  number 
of  individuals.  At  nesting  time  they  split  up  into  smaller 
parties  and  repair  to  coniferous  groves,  in  the  branches  of 
which  trees  they  build  their  bulky  nests  of  sticks  and 
twigs.  Grackles  are  beautiful  birds — black,  with  an  iri- 
descent sheen  of  purple,  blue,  green  and  brass,  but  still 
they  are  rather  undesirable  bird  citizens,  for  they  have 
the  pernicious  habit  of  robbing  nests  of  small  birds. 

To  those  accustomed  to  think  of  Orioles  as  brilliantly 
plumaged,  orange-colored  birds,  it  comes  as  a  distinct  sur- 
prise when  the  chestnut  and  black  ORCHARD  ORIOLE 
is  first  seen.  This  species  is  abundant  in  southern  states, 
but  is  only  local  in  our  range,  reaching  its  northern  limits 
in  southern  New  England  and  central  New  York.  Not 
only  is  the  adult  male  remarkable  in  plumage,  but  males 
of  the  second  year  are  quite  unique  in  that  they  resemble 
the  dull  yellowish  female,  but  have  a  black  face  and  throat 
patch.  They  are  much  shyer  than  Baltimore  Orioles  and 
like  to  keep  concealed  within  the  foliage  of  the  low  trees 
and  bushes  that  they  frequent.  Their  song  is  a  rapid 
and  varied  warbling,  sounding  something  like  that  of  Pur- 
ple Finches.  Their  nest  is  a  round  basket,  only  partially 
suspended  by  the  brim,  woven  of  stiff  green  grasses  that 


29 

Early  in  March,  RED-WINGED 
BLACKBIRDS  return  and  for  several 
weeks  roam  about  in  flocks  rather  aim- 
lessly, feeding  upon  seeds  and  grain, — 
the  remnant  of  last  years  crops.  These 
early  flocks  are  composed  almost  whol- 
ly of  male  birds;  the  females  arrive 
a  week  or  so  later  and  then  all  repair 
to  the  marshy,  swampy  land  that  con- 
stitutes their  real  home. 

The  male  Red-wings  are  sometimes 
locally  known  as  "Soldier  Birds"  on  ac- 
count of  the  handsome  scarlet  and  buff 
epaulets  on  their  shoulders.  They  are 
so  much  more  conspicuous  than  their 
striped  mates  that  the  latter  are  sel- 
dom noticed  unless  one  visits  their 
haunts  during  the  nesting  season,  when 
all  gather  around  and  "tchack"  vehe- 
mently, the  males  also  uttering  a  rasp- 
ing "tzeer."  Their  nests  are  woven 
baskets  of  grass  suspended  from  forks 
of  bushes,  usually  over  water.  Some- 
times, too,  they  are  located  in  tufts  of 
grass  on  the  ground.  The  males,  in 
times  of  peace,  utter  a  pleasing  liquid 
"cong-quer-ree,"  spreading  the  wings 
and  tail  while  singing  it. 

retain  their  color  for  a  long  time. 

Among  the  dwellers  of  our  fields  and  meadows,  none  are 
more  conspicuous  than  MEADOWLARKS.  As  we  cross 
their  retreats,  they  take  wing  with  a  sputtering  alarm  note 
and  fly  off  with  alternate  flappings  and  sailings,  showing 
the  white  outer  tail  feathers,  which  form  an  important 
field  mark.  Seen  back  toj  they  are  very  inconspicuous,  but 
when  they  face  us,  their  bright  yellow  breasts  with  promi- 
nent V  black  markings  show  plainly  for  a  long  distance. 
Their  song  is  a  very  pleasing  one  of  fife-like  whistles  and 
a  varying  intonation  and  accent.  The  words  "Spring  o' 
the  Y-e-a-r"  fit  to  it  very  nicely.  They  often  let  us  get 
close  to  them  when  they  are  on  the  ground,  but  when  on 
trees  or  posts  they  are  very  shy.  They  are  strong  walkers, 
cover  much  ground  while  feeding  and  must  be  of  great 
benefit  to  agriculturists,  as  their  food  during  most  of  the 
year  is  chiefly  insectivorious.  Some  of  them  remain  with 
us  through  the  winter,  but  the  majority  go  south. 

COWBIRDS  are  parisites.  They  are  our  only  species 
of  birds  which  do  not  make  nests  of  their  own,  their  eggs 
being  laid  singly  in  the  nests  of  smaller  birds  and  the 
hatching  and  care  of  the  young  being  left  to  the  mercies 


•a*-A 


^,        "  <UVlrm  Ji*-»W3»ii:.;iIV^I5CHH^l'lv*UJ  i  .  .    \v -WJUj,:       tlVYV'ri 

H;  eri««i'»wqiact!U>8{ay[.iaeje-ithe5<n.8nedk;Sus>.-to. 

tli*oiae)9t([|pf[)«i;pn^Hiji)ictl  .and:  carryiipfti 
^Bl       one  of  the  young-ooroderour  some-of  .the-. 
I*-  h&Td  feg rfrwgfcvei  e v&n ;  suohr a 


. 
t  sure  fta 

;  pr<?dTici ng  . ;  a JMKQ.S  t-;    any . .  •  -kin*  tuo«> 
soota,  ilighr 


ck>:onifyie  fRsrilJaiTi/haEsh 

W.-s&KX&Jiu   o:-[.  ,-'..::• 

edfeble    -i$>:  food  '  -for:   them 
ies,j  fruits,  tnsects:  or> 
a>    niaoria    for  .hLdinjg 
in  f«l6)d.-«flf'a»yt  object  i 
that, Attracts   tiieij'ifancy.      They   breed 
only  sin  •tyoujig'    coniferous 

3nib£9TQE 


ts§«fl.-^     yfi;     -snihKO' 'i  •'[*     ",991- 

of  the  foster  parents.     These  young  Cowbirds  are  so  large 
and  require  so  much  food-'i9Hit  H*W  g^W'M^iffiW 


quantities  of 

'BHev/f¥niaie-  is  a  uniform  dull  2ra^jftfutMtfie  Wale 


wfth!  Coffee-colored 


d'  head  1and  glossy  black  bqdyV 


the  bird  world.  In  spring  and  summer  the  male  is  clothed 
in  black  and  handsomely  marked  with  white  -and  buff  on  tlj'^1 
head  and  back.  He  is  also  one  ,  of  the  jolliest  of  birds, 
singing  his  tinkling,  rippling,  bubbling  soil  g  f  r'onr'the  .tree. 
tops,  from  fence  posts,  tall  weeds  'or  blades  of  grass,  or 
rising,  lark-fashion,  and  singing  as  lie  descends  to  earth 
oft  set  wings.  In  fall,  he  changes  his  dress  to  a  sparrow- 
like  one,  just  like  that  of  his  mate;  no  more  is  the  lively, 
entrancing  song  to  be  heard,  only  a  sharp  metallic  "chink" 
as  a  call  note  or  sound  of  alarm.  They  gather  into  large 
flocks  and^ttiOre  southward  and  ard  then  known  in  the  Chesa- 
peake Bay  region  only  as  "Reed-birds"',  thousands  of  them 
being  shot  and  sold  in  markets  and  served  in  restaurants 
under  that  name.  Farther  south,  along  the  South  Atlantic 
ie'  are  known  ^  "ftice-fclra^'f^'f'^1 


'  are.  tardy  jn  itheir 
-_arr4va4i  «Pi  usually  ..reaching. 
here  until  -after  May  IQ.th.  .They.  k>ve 
extreme:  warmth  and  so  do  not,  take  the. 
chances  ,th,at  earlier  birds-  do  -.of  :arriv- 
ingt,  daring  --.a.  ;  cold.  4s,pell.  .  OJljey-  are- 
atrundant  until  September  in  dry-  woods 
and  ja-lso  fotjnd  io<  some  extent_,in  orch- 
ard and,  shade  tr.ees.  T.tiey  sijag-  ,very; 
freely  uirtil  the.  middle  ofc  July,--  during 
very  w.arm  we&toer  .their  song.  being, 
about  :the.  ^jiiLy  one  to  be.  heard,  in  tjbe 
woods.  =  All  -day  long  th-ey  ca,\l  to  .one- 
ajibther  wit-h  a  sad,-  .plai.ntlve  •<pee-a.ix- 
wee,"  or  less  often  shortened  to  ;two. 
sylla/bles,  "pee-wee."  -r- 

.  Pewees  paddle-  -tfeeir^neat^r.oiv  -hori- 
zontal, limbs-of  trees,  usually  qu.ite-  higli 
Ufh  •  They  are  'very  decorative,  and  Te-- 
sem.bles-  knots,  or  little  tufts  of-  lichens. 
on-  the  linitasv  —  ^composed  of.  p-lant  flbres. 
ami  dawn,  ornamented  on  the  iexterior- 
wiih  bits  of  gre^n"  and-  gray  lieheas.- 
The  eggs  are  as  .  handsome,  as  the  nest, 
—  ^briglit  ,  --cream-color  with  a  ri-ng.of 
chestnvit  spots  around  the  iargie  «ni- 


do  great  damage  to  the  rice  crops  ;  men  are  hired  and  sta- 
tioned in  all  rice  fields  to  try:  and  :  slaugHtef  -them.'  Thiis' 
the  bird  that  we  in  the  north  regard'  so  Tiiglii  y  is"  in  other 
places  thought  of  only  as  ah  article  of  food;*  and  m  stilt- 
other  localities  only  as  a  pest  th'at  must  '-be'  de'stroyecl.  r 

'Flycatchers  liave  neither  beauty  of  plumage  nor  'musicaT 
voices,  yet  they  are  among  our  most  interesting  and  useful 
birds.'  Our  smallest  -species,'  the  ;  TbEAST  FLYCATeHER' 
or  CHEBEC  is  one  of  our  most  abundant  and  most  spcf- 
able  birds.  In  summer  we  can  always"  see  or  hear  them  in 
our  shade  or  orchard  trees  as  well  as  in  yonng  woods; 
Their  song,  if  it  is  entitled  to.be  called  suet/  is  a  brusque, 
energetic  "che-bec  !  che-bec!"  repeated  sometimes'  almost 
incessantly,  with  only  short  pauses  between.  As  each.  s£l- 
lable  is  accompanied  by  a  jerk  of  the  head  arid  tail^  it 
would  seem  as  though  so-much  effort  ought  to  be  rewarded 
by  *a  more  musical  sound,  but  theirs  seems  satisfactory  "to 
them,  ;f  not  to  us.  At  times,  especially  when  lii's'  mate  is: 
sitting  upon  eggs  in  the  little  fibre  nest  that  is  snugly  tucked' 
into  a  crotch,  he  will  dart  out  and  seize1  a  passing  insect/ 
ffy  down'  with  a  most  pleasing  little  trill  arid'  give  the  iid-bit 
to  her. 

The  PHOEBE  also  "has  a  ferisque  son^  of  two  t>r  tKree' 


32 

KINGBIRDS  belong  to  that  genus 
known  as  Tyrant  Flycatchers  because 
of  their  bold  and  aggressive  manners. 
They  are  very  tolerant  towards  smaller 
and  weaker  birds  but  they  are  the  ter- 
rors of  crows,  hawks  and  jays.  If  a 
bird  of  prey  conies  into  sight  the  vali- 
ant warrior  goes  forth  to  meet  him,  ut- 
tering his  shrill  notes  of  defiance. 
Hawks  or  crows  always  turn  and  flee 
with  the  Kingbird  dashing  down  from 
above  and  pecking  them  on  back  and 
head.  When  an  enemy  has  been  driven 
far  off,  the  victor  returns  to  his  look- 
out perch  exultantly  shrilling  his 
achievement. 

Their  food  is  wholly  insectivorous 
and  is  snapped  up  on  the  wing  by  short 
dashes  from  their  perches  or  some- 
times caught  by  hovering  over  the 
grass.  Some  owners  of  apiaries  claim 
that  they  take  -their  bees  while  others 
say  they  are  not  destructive  as  they 
take  only  -drones.  At  any  rate  they 
are,  very  useful  birds  for  the  agricul- 
turalist. Their  nests  of  straw,  fibres, 
grass,  etc.,  are  placed  in  orchard  or 
other  trees. 

notes,  which  he  frequently  utters  as  he  swings  on  the  dead 
outer  branches  that  serve  him  as  a  lookout  post.  Long  ago 
Phoebes  nested  only  in  crevices  of  ledges  or  under  over- 
hanging banks;  they  do  now  sometimes,  but  since  man  came 
and  constructed  bridges  over  the  streams,  barns  and  shed?, 
they  have  found  that  very  cozy  places  for  their  homes  are 
to  be  found  on  the  stringers  under  the  bridge  planks  and 
on  rafters  in  or  under  the  outbuildings.  The  nests  are 
made  of  mud  and  moss,  and  are  warmly  lined  with  feathers. 
The  birds  are  apparently  mated  for  life  and  return  to  the 
same  nesting  site  year  after  year. 

CRESTED  FLYCATCHERS,  which  are  of  local  but 
regular  occurrence  here  during  summer,  are  very  abundant 
in  southern  states.  They  are  not  in  reality  crested,  but 
the  feathers  on  the  crown  are  slightly  lengthened,  as  in- 
deed are  those  of  most  other  species,  and  are  often  erected 
to  express  emotion.  The  call  note  of  the  Great-crest  is  a 
single  clear  whistle  with  a  rising  inflection;  his  song  is  a 
series  of  clear  whistles  and  is  often  varied.  They  are  very 
active  birds,  continually  chasing  one  another  or  other  species 
of  birds  about  the  treetops.  It  is  a  peculiar  fact  that 
nearly  all  their  nests,  which  are  located  in  cavities  of  trees, 


33 

RUBY-THROATED  HUMMINGBIRDS 
are  our  tiniest  birds, — little  winged 
gems  with  a  body  scarcely  as  big  as  the 
thumb  nail.  In  some  lights  the  throat 
of  the  male  appears  to  be  black  but 
when  we  get  the  proper  view  it  glows 
with  fiery  brilliance.  Besides  lacking 
any  color  on  the  throat,  the  female  has 
a  rounded  tip  to  the  tail  while  that  of 
her  mate  is  forked. 

Hummingbirds  do  not,  as  so  general- 
ly believed,  live  upon  honey  or  nectar 
of  flowers;  to  be  sure  they  often  drink 
it,  but  their  food  is  tiny  insects  which 
they  catch  in  the  air  and  within  the 
depths  of  flowers. 

Their  nests  are  exquisite  creations  of 
plant  down,  especially  that  from  fern 
steins,  covered  externally  with  lichens, 
and  saddled  on  the  limb  of  any  kind  of 
a  tree  at  any  height,  either  In  woods, 
orchards  or  dooryards.  The  two  white 
eggs  are  about  the  size  and  shape  of 
white  beans. 

Hummingbirds  have  a  fiery  temper 
out  of  proportion  to  their  size  and  will 
dash  at  an  intruder  with  a  fierceness 
that  always  makes  him  dodge. 

contain  pieces  of  cast-off  snakeskin  wound  about  the  outer 
edge.  Their  eggs  are  also  peculiar — cream-colored,  curi- 
ously scratched  with  brown  in  a  pattern  very  different  from 
that  of  birds  of  any  other  genus. 

CHIMNEY  SWIFTS  are  birds  of  exceptional  interest. 
Formerly  nesting  in  hollow. trees  or  caves,  they  have  in  the 
east  abandoned  the  habits  of  their  ancestors  and  live  almost 
exclusively  in  unused  chimneys  on  dwellings  or  factories. 
The  birds  are  of  a  sooty  color,  well  matching  chimney  in- 
teriors, and  their  tail  feathers  terminate  in  sharp  barbs 
that  are  of  the  greatest  assistance  in  enabling  them  to 
cling  to  the  upright  surfaces.  Their  toe  nails  are  quite 
strong,  but  their  feet  are  small  and  weak  and  wholly  un- 
fitted for  perching,  for  which  reason  they  probably  never 
alight  in  trees.  Their  wings  are  very  long  and  narrow — 
worked  by  powerful  muscles  that  enable  them  to  keep  a- 
wing  all  day  without  tiring. 

Their  nests  are  made  of  small  twigs  cemented  with  glu- 
tinous saliva  of  the  birds  to  the  insides  of  chimney  walls. 
Often  several  pairs  nest  in  the  same  chimney  and  the  voices 
of  the  young  birds  clamoring  as  they  are  being  fed  can 
often  be  heard  within  the  walls.  While  I  have  never  seen 


cnyawn    by 

,   ,   6  -livfe's  or 
ier    nights    in 
iratively    few 
Observe. that 
^Jiita.  bji   the 
and  that  the 
feathers  .are 
^iiiuijiy  ,§i?€rn  ;fly- 

iuoui  uver  uine»  ur  ])*tstiires  about 
HH-  XiKlUhaxvks;  'lliov'  jiavo  forlv- 
.ijil^  a'jifl-  a  white  'baruf-  across  the 
ifiti  of  fhO  .tail  -and  win.^  feathers, 
ilfrinte  is  a.  nifs;il  .."peeu.f^  while 
O>!.tJ;e  \Yhip-po<1r-Will  is  a. rapidly 
stled;  many  times  repeated  .repetition 
thejr.^nainv,,  with  tfie'_acceht  on  the 

sts  (-ntJrely"of  insects 
in     thefr'.'gavi'rnous 
Ssf -even ^"W.ec;  largest 

ray  their  two  tiftpttled 
qng  •  the  dead  leaves  in  op'en 
Thdy  rare  never  abroa'd' (lurrnf? 
unless  disturbed  froni  their 
'places  whiph.  ma.y  .be  >n  fog's, 
on'  the  sround. 


these  Swifts  alight  in  trees,  I  nave  several  times  seen  them 

^Tfeeusonly  notes 
:a^out -tKBough  _  the 

iii  VTSV  jts^eq  £  ni  ITTVOTO  '•;••,•",  '•  •  -5?  -•';•,. 
NIGHTHAWKS  are  hawks-^nly'in'the'JseHse.that 'thfey 
J airi-after tmdtHs^atfd^otlei-  '^mged  in- 
J  are  tsof ten/,  confused  .-: with.  W^hip-poorrwills 
and  .are  rarely  seen  at;any 
may  of  ten':  be  heard.  The  pres- 
:ver y:  readily  "be  recognized  though,'  even  at 
,  :-fog  the  throat  is'  white/  the1  wings  have  ^a 
-^across ; the" miter  "feathexs  and  'the  -slightly 
band  of  white  near-: the  end.  snilo 
; seen  almost:  any  summer  day  towards 
over:  nfieadbws  or  sweeping  over  cities  gath- 
-crtMg- thefrr insect^ ^  f ood:  They  are  very-  graceful  in  flight, 
•as  "Jnight  be " expected1-  of  birds  having  such  long,  narrow 
wings —  now  sweeping  downward"  in  a  long  curve,  then 
iiig7  to  the  heights*7 again:-  "Occasionally  one  will  olive 
"'almost  perpendicularly  from  a  great  elevation,  the 
5ai*"-pajsSfngr:thY6ugh:.hi§  -wing  feathers,  ^when  he  checks  the 
ul?n.'  upwaTds,  making  a  sfer^nge^  dull  booming 
J. ;  ^Daytiini,  MinMss  it-' be^'cloudy  .weather, .  when1  they 


88  35 


olf.fn.3nJ,      .«r 

£Mj%Js 

md  in  sandv.or.  rocky. 
^tKSshBI  IbSWcL  w 
Safe 

fa^ 

I'lJ'J^TuyO.fti    Vilfciml    •fftfllpl    ?.I,?OI03<fe    8I(U    lOji"      " 

to  hold  them  against  the  sides  01   trees.,    It 

BflKWtfCVMBVAr'B*!'?*  B3SOQ  :  ittJ  (ff.8   (fir  ffi;l  O3 

\\  ()C)lJrr>C  Jvr.Kh   are   handsfflpe _Jpecies  ,a 
southern  states  .ana  wj  ^r^f  occiurrence-  in 

and    southern    S'ew    England.      The    laJ  u 

color  make  them  ve'rv  conspicuous  either  when  in.  flight  o 

,'T,r-*n-,-,    *-     s'-  ••''">    -ftfc^i   ^.(c^Jcv,     .  t    f  fn -,••'.'. r*  v*JfLi    23Ol  Sffj^Ort 

iWime  perjching.  "The  entire  head  is  , bright  Crimson,  the 
riiinp,  under  parts  and  middle  of  wings  white, 'sharply  de- 
fined against  the  glossy  black 'back/ wrings.,  and  tail.' ^  They 
frequent  orchard  and  /shade  trees  to,  some  extept,  but"a.re 
most  abundant  in  old  swamps  containing  many  dead  trees. 
T The, diet  of  this  species  'is  Quite  varied  for  a.  woodpecker 
.-.ml  consists  of  insects.,  \yhich, -lie  gets  \)\.  boring .^or  some- 
.jiimes  catches.in  ^he  aij,,'  various' nuts;  'i'ruilV  and  Tjerries,,  and 
^ipo 'often  eggs  and  young  of  other  smaller  birds.'"  Tney  a^e 
rfjulte  noisy,  especially  .during  'airing, .'making  a  ^ud^dfs- 
agreeable  whirimg  noise. 


r 

w 
the 


36 

DOWNY  WOODPECKERS  are  the 
most  abundant  of  our  woodpeckers  and 
are  resident  throughout  the  year.  They 
have  a  larger  relative  in  the  Hairy 
Woodpecker  from  which  they  can  be 
distinguished  not  only  by  their  smaller 
size  but  because  the  outer  tail  feathers 
of  the  present  species  have  a  few  black 
spots  while  those  of  the  larger  bird 
are  pure  white. 

Downies  are  sociable,  especially  in 
•  winter,  when  they  often  hunt  over  the 
trees  in  our  dooryards  and  visit  lunch 
counters  that  kind  people  keep  well 
stocked  with  suet  and  nuts.  In  sum- 
mer, they  take  up  their  abodes  in  orch- 
ards, young  woods  or  trees  along  road- 
sides. Their  nesting  sites  are  usually 
excavated  by  themselves  and  the  en- 
trance hole  is  a  very  small  one,  appear- 
ing much  too  small  for  the  birds,  al- 
though they  can  pass  in  easily.  If  they 
are  not  disturbed  during  the  breeding, 
they  will  continue  to  use  the  same  nest 
for  several  years.  Their  four  or  five 
eggs  are  white,  as  are  those  of  all  spe- 
cies of  woodpeckers. 

Handsomely  plumaged  SAPSUCKERS  are  sometimes 
abundant  during  migrations,  and  a  few  nest  in  some  of  our 
mountains.  The  males  can  easily  be  recognized,  since  the 
crown  and  the  throat  are  crimson,,  each  bordered  with  black ; 
the  female  is  similar,  but  the  throat  is  white.  Instead  of 
having  the  usual  hard-tipped  woodpecker  tongue,  adapted 
to  spearing  insects  and  drawing  them  from  their  retreats, 
the  tip  of  that  of  this  species  is  rather  brushy  in  character 
and  is  adapted  to  lap  up  sap  that  oozes  from  numerous  per- 
forations that  they  make  through  the  inner  bark  of  trees 
for  that  purpose.  On  the  whole,  Sapsuckers  must  be  re- 
garded as  rather  destructive  birds,  although  they  make  up 
for  the  loss  they  occasion  by  eating  many  insects  at  certain 
seasons.  Their  call  note  is  a  harsh  scream,  and  is  uttered 
very  frequently  during  spring. 

HAIRY  WOODPECKERS  are  larger,  but  almost  iden- 
tical in  plumage  to  Downy  Woodpeckers,  the  most  notice- 
able difference  being  in  the  fact  that  the  outer  tail  feathers 
of  this  species  are  pure  white  while  those  of  the  Downy 
have  a  few  black  spots.  The  Hairy  is  more  shy  than  the 
Downy  and  is  not  nearly  as  abundant.  They  frequent 
larger  growth  woods  and  rarely  come  about  dwellings,  as 
the  smaller  species  do.  They  remain  with  us  all  winter  and 


S7 

BELTED  KINGFISHERS  are,  as  one 
would  judge  from  their  name,  expert 
fisher  birds.  They  come  north  in  March, 
— just  as  soon  as  ponds  or  lakes  show 
open  water.  As  we  walk  along  the 
shores,  we  may  startle  them  from,  or 
see  them  perched  on  their  lookout 
perches, — points  of  vantage  from  which 
they  are  able  to  slant  down  headfirst 
and  plunge  after  any  small  fish  that  is 
swimming  near  the  surface.  If  the 
quarry  is  too  far  away  for  a  direct 
plunge,  they  hover  over  the  spot  a  few 
moments  before  making  the  dive  that 
usually  proves  fatal  to  the  fish.  Fish 
are  seized  in  the  opened  mandibles  and 
carried  to  their  perches  or  to  the  young, 
if  at  that  season.  The  adults  devour 
their  prey  whole,  consequently  only 
small  fish  can  be  taken.  If  allowed 
about  a  fish  hatchery,  they  may  do  con- 
siderable damage  but  the  fish  they 
usually  catch  are  of  little  or  no  value, 
certainly  not  as  much  as  the  sight  of 
these  creatures.  They  nest  in  holes 
tunnelled  in  banks  not  far  from  the 
water. 

many  of  them  nest  in  suitable  parts  of  our  range,  so  that 
they  are  practically  residents. 

Our  Cuckoos  are  only  very  distantly  related  to  the  Euro- 
pean one  and  have  none  of  the  objectionable  habits  of  the 
latter  bird,  which  is  parasitic  like  our  Cowbird.  American 
Cuckoos  do  build  their  own  nests,  even  though  they  are 
shabby  affairs,  and  they  care  for  their  own  young. 

YELLOW-BILLED  CUCKOOS  are  a  little  larger  and 
are  less  common  in  our  range  than  the  Black-billed  variety. 
This  species  can  easily  be  identified  when  seen,  since  the 
lower  mandible  is  yellowish,  the  long  wing  feathers  are 
rufous  at  their  bases  and  the  outer  tail  feathers  are  black, 
with  broad  white  tips.  Cuckoos  are  rather  indolent  in 
their  movements,  moving  about  comparatively  little  and 
then  only  slyly  slipping  from  the  protection  of  one  leafy 
bower  to  another.  Judging  from  their  actions  one  might 
suppose  them  to  be  criminals — fugitives  whose  only  safety 
depended  upon  concealment.  These  actions,  together  with 
their  croaking  notes  cause  them  to  be  regarded  with  sus- 
picion or  superstition  by  many  ignorant  people,  whereas 
they  are  among  our  most  beneficial  birds,  they  being  one  of 
the  few  species  to  feed  extensively  upon  the  destructive 
tent  caterpillars. 


38 

BLACK -BILLED  CUCKOOS,  our  most 
abundant  species,  can  easily  be  distin- 
guished from  Yellow-billed  ones  since 
both  mandibles  are  black,  there  is  a 
.prominent  red  eye  ring  and  the  tall 
feathers  are  all  uniform  in  color,  the 
outer  ones  being1  very  narrowly  tipped 
with  white. 

Cuckoos  have  four  toes  two  of  which 
are  in  front  and  two  behind;  the  object 
of  this  arrangement  is  not  apparent 
for,  so  far  as  we  know,  their  habits  of 
living  are  not  such  as  to  derive  any 
special  benefit  from  such  an  arrange- 
ment. They  are  valuable  birds,  since 
their  food  is  wholly  insectivorous  in- 
cluding such  destructive  species  as  tent 
caterpillars  which  few  other  birds  will 
devour.  Their  notes  are  all  guttural 
and  croaking  in  character;  hence  the 
ill-favor  with  which  many  persons  re- 
gard them,  without  reason.  Their  nests 
are  rude  platforms  of  twigs,  lined  with 
a  few  catkins,  placed  low  down  in 
thickets  or  briers. 

Their  nests  are  shabby  platforms  of  twigs  and  catkins, 
placed  in  thickets  or  the  lower  branches  of  trees.  The  dull 
blue  eggs  are  a  trifle  larger  and  lighter  colored  than  those 
of  the  Black-billed  Cuckoo. 

Most  of  our  Owls  are  night  birds,  not  because  they  cannot 
see  during  daylight,  for  many  of  them  can  see  just  as  well 
in  bright  light  as  any  other  kind  of  bird,  but  because  after 
dark  hunting  conditions  are  more  favorable  to  securing  the 
food  they  desire.  With  few  exceptions  Owls  are  valuable 
liirds,  feeding  extensively  upon  moles,  meadow  mice  and 
other  destructive  rodents  which  only  come  from  their  re- 
treats after  dark.  However,  our  largest  species,  GREAT 
HORNED  OWLS,  do  not  come  under  this  class  of  useful 
birds.  They  and  those  rare  winter  visitors,  Snowy  Owls, 
are  our  only  species  which  can  be  classed  as  destructive. 
They  are  large  and  very  powerful,  capable  of  and  fre- 
quently carrying  away  full  grown  fowls,  grouse,  rabbits 
and  other  creatures  not  exceeding  these  in  size.  Because 
of  the  cutting  away  of  much  of  the  heavy  timber  in  which 
these  birds  live,  they  are  yearly  becoming  more  rare  within 
our  limits.  Horned  Owls  are  frequently  seen  abroad  during 
daylight  and  are  apparently  not  at  all  bothered  by  bright 
light.  They  nest  either  in  cavities  of  large  trees  or  lay 
their  eggs  in  old  crow  or  hawk  nests.  Their  most  common 


Of  all  the  owls,  none  are  so  useful, 
none  so  abundant  and  none  so  sociable 
as  SCREECH  OWLS.  They  live  in  trees 
in  woods,  in  our  orchards,  in  barns  and 
even  in  large  cities  provided  that  suit- 
able trees  with  cavities  are  at  hand. 
They  are  rarely  abroad  during  day- 
light, passing  that  time  dozing  in  the 
concealment  of  hollow  limbs  or  nooks 
in  barns.  At  dusk,  .they  come  from 
their  hiding  places  and  make  the  rounds 
of  the  neighborhood  hunting  mice 
•which  form  almost  their  whole  food. 

Their  voices  are  tremulous  and  wail- 
ing but  not  displeasing  and  certainly  a 
loag  way  from  screeching  as  one  might 
be  led  to  believe,  according  to  the 
name.  Some  Screech  Owls  are  gray  and 
some  are  reddish,  the  differences  being 
merely  color  phases  and  independent  of 
age  or  sex;  the  gray  ones  are  the  most 
commonly  found. 

As  usual  with  owls,  their  food  is 
swallowed  whole  and  the  indigestible 
portions  later  ejected  as  "pellets." 


note  is  a  dismal,  deep-toned  "Hoo-hoo-hoo";  again  the 
woods  may  ring  with  a  wild,  demoniacal  scream  entirely 
different  from  what  you  would  expect  from  any  bird. 

BARRED  OWLS  are  the  largest  of  the  so-called  earless 
owls,  that  is  ones  without  elongated  tufts  of  feathers  on  the 
head.  Although  quite  abundant,  they  are  not  seen  often 
unless  routed  out  of  their  hiding  places  by  crows,  for  they 
are  quite  nocturnal  in  their  habits.  They  very  rarely  cap- 
ture poultry  or  game  birds,  confining  their  diet  chiefly  to 
rodents.  Nearly  all  food  is  devoured  entirely  and  later 
the  indigestible  portions,  such  as  bones,  feathers  or  fur,  are 
ejected  in  the  form  of  pellets. 

Smallest  of  our  Owls,  and  also  an  earless  species,  is  the 
SAW-WHET  or  ACADIAN  OWL.  These  are  chiefly 
winter  visitors,  although  some  of  them  nest  in  our  moun- 
tains. They  usually  spend  the  day  sleeping  at  low  eleva- 
tions in  trees  or  bushes;  if  discovered  they  can  usually  be 
caught  in  the  hands.  Their  staple  food  is  insects  and 
small  rodents,  but  of  necessity  they  sometimes  have  to 
catch  small  birds  during  the  winter. 

LONG-EARED  and  SHORT-EARED  OWLS  are  two 
species  of  a  size  midway  between  that  of  the  Screech  and 
Barred  Owls.  The  first  has  long  ear  tufts,  the  plumage 
has  much  brown  and  the  under  parts  are  barred ;  the  second 


OSPREYS  are  very  large  birds  often 
incorrectly  called  "Sea  Eagles"  and  very 
frequently  mistaken  for  real  eagles, 
which  birds,  however,  are  never  white 
on  the  under  parts  in  any  plumage. 

Ospreys  sail  majestically  along  the 
courses  of  streams  or  over  bays,  at  an 
elevation  of  a  hundred  feet  or  so,  their 
keen  yellow  eyes  searching  the  waters 
beneath.  If  a  fish  is  spied  near  the  sur- 
face the  fisher  bird  hovers  on  beating 
wings  until  the  quarry  is  in  just  the 
right  position,  then  folds  them  to  his 
sides  and  drops  like  a  plummet,  head- 
first. Just  above  water,  the  long  legs 
are  extended  in  front  before  his  face 
and  with  a  mighty  plunge  he  disappears 
from  view;  in  a  few  seconds  he  reap- 
pears holding  a  struggling  victim  in 
his  talons;  a  vigorous  shake  of  the 
great  wings  sheds  most  of  the  water 
and  he  carries  the  prize  away  to  his 
nesting  or  feeding  tree.  It  is  a  wonder- 
ful sight  and  one  that  a  person  never 
tires  of  watching.  Their  nests  are 
bulky  structures  of  sticks  on  dead 
trees  or  sometimes  on  the  ground. 

has  tiny  ear  tufts,  is  of  a  yellowish  buff  color  and  the  under 
parts  are  marked  in  streaks.  Long-eared  Owls  nest  most 
often  in  old  crow  nests,  while  the  Short-eared  species  builds 
on  the  ground.  The  latter  species  does  most  of  its  hunt- 
ing just  at  dusk  about  the  edges  of  marshes. 

Our  Hawks  and  Eagles  vary  greatly  in  size  from  the 
diminutive  Sparrow  Hawk  to  the  gigantic  Bald  Eagle. 
With  very  few  exceptions  it  has  been  found  that  they  are 
of  economic  importance,  as  they  feed  almost  wholly  on 
rodents  and  insects. 

BALD  EAGLES  are  rare  and  very  locally  distributed 
in  our  range,  chiefly  near  the  coast  or  about  large  lakes. 
These  great  birds  have  an  expanse  of  wing  between  six 
and  seven  and  a  half  feet,  the  year  old  birds  being  the 
largest.  For  the  first  three  years  they  are  brownish  black 
all  over,  attaining  the  white  head  and  tail  only  when  four 
years  old.  They  feed  to  some  extent  upon  ducks,  rabbits, 
etc.,  but  the  greater  part  of  their  food  is  fish  which  have 
been  cast  up  on  the  shore.  They  catch  some  fish  from  fish 
weirs  and  also  rob  Ospreys  of  their  booty.  Taken  alto- 
gether they  can  more  appropriately  be  regarded  as  scav- 
engers than  as  birds  of  prey.  Their  true  lives  are  far  dif- 
ferent from  what  many  believe  after  reading  lurid  accounts 


41 

Smallest  of  our  Raptores  are  the  lit- 
tle SPARROW  HAWKS, — trim  little 
falcons  which  reach  here  early  in  March. 
For  the  first  few  weeks  we  notice  them 
only  as  we  see  them  winging  their  way 
with  their  peculiar  flight,  a  rapid  beat- 
ing of  the  wings  followed  by  a  short 
sail,  over  fields.  Towards  the  end  of 
April,  while  selecting  their  partners  or 
discussing  the  selection  of  nesting 
sites,  they  are  very  noisy,  their  sharp 
cries,  resembling  "killy,  killy,  killy, 
etc.."  being  audible  for  long  distances. 
They  nest  in  cavities  of  trees,  usually 
deserted  homes  of  Flickers.  The  four 
or  five  eggs,  laid  on  the  bare  wood  or 
chips,  are  cream-colored,  speckled  and 
blotched  with  reddish-brown.  The 
young,  like  those  of  all  our  hawks,  are 
first  covered  with  white  down,  and  re- 
main in  the  nest  three  or  four  weeks 
before  they  are  able  to  leave.  These 
birds  live  wholly  upon  mice  and  insects, 
chiefly  grasshoppers.  instances  of  their 
capturing  small  birds  are  quite  rare. 

of  the  prowess  of  the  Eagle.  The  GOLDEN  EAGLE,  a 
western  species  which  sometimes  straggles  to  our  eastern 
mountains,  is  far  more  courageous  than  the  eastern  bird 
and  rarely  devours  prey  not  caught  by  his  own  efforts. 

Among  our  useful  Hawks  may  be  mentioned  the 
BROAD- WINGED,  a  bird  of  medium  size,  with  rather 
broad,  rounded  wings,  short  tail  and  handsomely  barred 
under  parts;  the  RED-SHOULDERED  HAWK,  adults  of 
which  have  the  under  parts  very  heavily  barred  with  rufous, 
the  shoulders  reddish-brown  and  the  tail  and  primaries 
sharply  barred  with  black  and  white;  and  the  RED- 
TAILED  HAWK,  which  in  adult  plumage  have  the  whole 
tail  a  bright  rufous,  with  or  without  a  subterminal  narrow 
black  band.  These  three  species  are  quite  common  in  and 
around  the  edges  of  woodland,  but  rarely  will  more  than 
one  pair  of  one  species  be  found  in  the  same  woods. 

Our  only  habitually  destructive  species  are  GOSHAWKS, 
handsome  birds  with  blue-gray  backs  and  under  parts  finely 
waved  with  black  lines,  which  come  from  their  northern 
homes  to  pass  the  winter  here.  Their  food  is  of  grouse 
and  other  game  birds,  poultry,  rabbits,  etc.  They  are  so 
bold  at  times  that  they  will  dash  down  and  carry  off  a 
fowl  from  a  flock  which  the  owner  is  feeding  in  his  yard; 


42 

Since  the  passing  of  the  Passenger 
Pigeon,  MOURNING  DOVES  are  our 
only  representatives  of  this  family. 
They  are  of  only  local  occurrence  in 
New  York  and  New  England  as  this  is 
nearly  the  northern  limit  of  their  range 
in  the  east. 

Their  food  is  chiefly  of  grain,  seeds 
and  berries  gathered  from  the  ground, 
or  from  bushes  or  trees.  Their  High, 
is  very  swiftly  performed  and  the  long 
stiff  wing  feathers  make  a  whistling 
sound  as  the  birds  pass.  Well  known 
as  they  are,  many  people  still  mistake 
them  for  Wild  Pigeons.  These  are  less 
than  fourteen  inches  long  and  have  a 
black  spot  under  the  ears,  while  the 
Passenger  Pigeon  is  more  than  sixteen 
inches  in  length.  There  are  many  other 
differences  but  these  two  easily  dis- 
tinguish between  the  two  species. 

Doves  make  very  shabby  nests, — flat 
platforms  of  just  a  few  twigs,  with 
barely  hollow  enough  to  hold  the  two 
eggs.  These  nests  may  be  in  trees,  in 
bushes,  on  logs  or  on  the  ground. 

and  SHARP-SHINNED   and   COOPER'S   HAWKS,  two 

rather  small  species,  very  similar  in  plumage,  the  latter 
being  the  larger.  These  birds  are  residents  and  quite  de- 
structive to  young  poultry,  small  game  and  other  birds. 

MARSH  *HAWKS,  that  species  which  we  so  often  see 
coursing  low  over  meadows  or  which  we  so  frequently  start 
from  the  ground,  and  which  can  readily  be  identified  by  the 
white  rump,  are  classed  as  among  our  beneficial  birds  of 
prey.  Fortunately  our  farmers  are  becoming  educated  to 
the  value  of  birds,  even  of  hawks,  and  are  learning  to  spare 
the  useful  kinds  instead  of,  as  a  few  years  ago,  killing 
every  one  that  came  within  reach  of  their  guns. 

Ample  evidence  of  the  destroying  power  of  man  is  shown 
by  the  case  of  our  PASSENGER  PIGEONS,  which  up  to 
the  year  1875  were  to  be  found  in  flocks  containing  thous- 
ands of  individuals  throughout  eastern  North  America. 
They  were  trapped,  shot,  netted  and  even  killed  with  poles 
until  now  they  are  extinct  or  so  near  it  that  there  is  no  hope 
of  their  ever  regaining  a  foothold.  Concerted  efforts  for 
several  years  have  failed  to  locate  a  single  breeding  pair  or 
any  satisfactory  evidence  of  any  living  Passenger  Pigeons. 

As  Ruffed  Grouse  are  kings  of  the  woods,  so  BOB 
WHITES  reign  in  our  fields,  pastures  and  small  growths. 


43 

Every  sportsman  knows  the  RUFFED 
GROUSE  during  the  fall  hunting  sea- 
son but  comparatively  few  know  them 
during  the  rest  of  the  year,  when  their 
habits  are  the  most  interesting.  April 
is  the  "drumming"  month.  The  cock 
grouse  are  then  selecting  partners  for 
the  season. 

Each  grouse  has  his  favorite  drum- 
ming log  or  rock.  Early  in  the  morn- 
ing he  visits  it,  struts  up  and  down  a 
few  times  with  head  back,  ruffs  extend- 
ed and  tail  spread  wide  over  the  back; 
then  lie  looks  carefully  about  him, 
stands  quite  erect,  with  tail  horizontal 
and  beats  the  air  with  his  wings. — -first 
a  thump,  thump,  thump,  but  gradually 
increasing  in  speed  and  resonance  until 
a  vibrating  drumming  sound  results. 
While  doing  this  he  is  oblivious  to 
everything  but  after  finishing  he  listens 
intently  for  an  answer  to  his  challenge. 

Their  dozen  or  more  pale  brown  eggs 
are  laid  in  a  hollow  among  the  dead 
leaves  usually  under  the  protection  of 
a  log  or  against  the  base  of  a  stump. 

They  are  not  nearly  so  abundant  as  a  few  years  ago;  in 
fact,  in  many  of  their  old  haunts  they  are  all  gone.  Cold 
and  rainy  weather  and  the  hunter  and  his  dog  are  about 
equally  to  blame  for  their  passing  away.  In  fall  they 
gather  in  flocks  and  frequent  stubble,  feeding  upon  grain 
and  also  upon  insects  as  long  as  they  are  available.  Our 
Quail,  as  they  are  most  often  called,  are  of  the  greatest 
value  economically,  this  value  far  exceeding  that  of  their 
worth  as  market  or  table  birds. 

In  fall  and  winter  they  are  quite  silent,  but  we  sometimes 
hear  a  softly  repeated  call  note  used  to  keep  the  flock  from 
becoming  widely  separated  when  feeding  and  also  to  call 
them  together  after  they  have  become  dispersed  for  any 
reason.  In  spring  and  summer  the  loud,  clearly  whistled 
"Bob-white"  or  "Bob-bob-white"  is  one  of  the  sweetest 
sounds  of  nature.  They  nest  in  the  tall  grass  or  weeds 
bordering  fields,  or  in  bush-dotted  pasture  land.  The 
entrances  is  often  made  tunnel-like  by  arching  the  grasses 
over  so  as  to  completely  conceal  the  numerous  white  eggs. 

Several  Plover  and  many  kinds  of  Sandpipers  pass 
through  during  migrations.  We  will  mention  but  a  few 
of  them  here,  but  a  complete  list  is  given  in  the  back  of 
this  booklet. 


44 

None  of  our  shore  birds,  so  called, 
are  better  known  or  more  often  seen 
than  our  SPOTTED  SANDPIPER,— of- 
ten called  "Tip-up"  or  "Teeter-tail"  be- 
cause of  their  peculiar  habit  of  bowing 
and  bobbing-  the  tail  while  standing. 
They  are  found  along  the  seashore,  riv- 
ers, about  lakes  or  any  of  our  small 
ponds.  When  they  wish  to  reach  a 
point  farther  along  shore,  they  always 
make  a  wide  detour  out  over  the  water 
uttering  a  clear,  sweetly  whistled  "peet- 
weet"  as  a  good  bye  to  us  or  a  greeting 
to  the  friends  they  are  to  visit.  Their 
food  consists  of  insects  gathered  along 
the  edge  of  the  water  or  in  fields  or  cul- 
tivated land.  Their  nests  are  composed 
of  but  a  few  dried  grasses  twisted 
about  a  slight  depression  in  the  ground, 
usually  under  concealment  of  long 
grass  or  clumps  of  weeds.  The  nest 
may  or  may  not  be  close  to  the  water. 
The  eggs  are  pear-shaped,  of  a  buffy 
color,  spotted  with  dark  brown.  The 
little  gray,  striped  downy  young  leave 
the  nest  and  run  about  after  their 
mother  as  soon  as  hatched. 

SEMIPALMATED  PLOVER,  or  Ringnecks,  are  com- 
monly found  along  the  seacoast  during  August  and  again  in 
May,  and  less  often  about  the  mud  flats  of  some  of  our 
lakes  and  ponds.  A  single  black  band  across  the  breast 
is  the  field  mark  of  this  species.  KILDEER  are  larger 
than  the  last  species,  have  two  black  bands  across  the  breast 
and  a  long  tail  which  is  rufous  at  the  base.  They  are  very 
abundant  in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  rather  common  in  New 
York  state  and  of  local  occurrence  during  the  breeding 
season  in  New  England.  They  are  very  noisy  during 
spring  and  summer,  their  loud  cries  of  "Kildee,  kildee,  etc." 
coming  from  upland,  fields  or  shores  of  ponds.  Their 
nests  are  on  the  ground  under  concealment  of  patches  of 
weeds  or  tufts  of  grass. 

WOODCOCK  are  not  uncommon  as  breeding  birds,  but 
are,  of  course,  more  numerous  during  migrations  when  the 
northern  birds  are  passing  through.  They  come  early  in 
spring — just  as  soon  as  the  ground  softens  enough  for 
them  to  secure  food.  They  have  very  long  bills  to  probe 
deeply  in  soft  mud  for  worms ;  the  tips  are  very  flexible  and 
sensitive  enable  them  to  feel  and  grasp  prey.  The  eyes 
are  large  so  they  can  see  well  in  the  dark  and  are  placed 


45 

GREEN  HERONS  are  so  commonly 
seen  about  our  ponds  and  streams  that 
the  country  boy  is  wont  to  know  them 
by  the  name  "Fly-up-the-creek."  As 
they  rise  ahead  of  an  approaching  per- 
son, they  usually  utter  a  single  distinc- 
tive shriek  to  vent  their  displeasure  at 
being  disturbed  or  as  a  warning  to  their 
neighbors. 

Their  food  consists  of  tiny  fish,  frogs, 
crustaceans  and  insects;  occasionally, 
too,  one  will  spear  a  mouse  or  mole  that 
becomes  venturesome  enough  to  appear 
during  the  daytime.  They  will  stand 
for  a  long  time  in  shallow  water  wait- 
ing- for  some  creature  to  come  within 
striking  distance.  When  standing 
among  rushes,  they  often  attempt  to 
avoid  detection  by  standing  erect  with 
the  bill  pointed  upward.  They  resem- 
ble their  surroundings  so  perfectly  that 
only  the  sharpest  of  eyes  wottld  dis- 
cover them. 

Their  nests  are  platforms  of  sticks 
and  twigs  placed  in  bushes  or  on  the 
lower  branches  of  trees;  they  may  or 
may  not  be  located  near  water.  Their 
four  or  five  eggs  are  plain  greenish- 
blue. 

well  back  and  near  the  top  of  the  head  so  they  can  see  about 
them  even  when  the  bill  is  buried  to  its  base. 

Herons  are  long-legged,  long-necked  wading  birds, 
whose  food  consists  chiefly  of  small  fish,  frogs,  shell  fish  and 
often  meadow  mice  and  insects.  They  stand  rigidly  in 
the  water  for  long  periods  waiting  for  some  prey  to  come 
within  striking  distance;  the.  heavy,  pointed  bill,  propelled 
by  the  long  sinuous  neck  rarely  misses  the  mark,  some  times 
catching  it  between  the  mandibles  and  again  killing  it  by 
a  sharp  blow. 

BLACK-CROWNED  NIGHT  HERONS  feed  chiefly 
after  dusk;  on  almost  any  summer  night  we  may  hear  the 
harsh,  rasping  "quark"  of  one  as  he  passes  overhead,  from 
pond  to  pond  or  carrying  food  to  his  youngsters,  which  are 
located  in  a  shabby  nest  of  sticks  high  up  in  the  grove  in 
which  the  colony  is  living.  These  are  handsome  herons — 
grayish-white,  except  for  the  black  crown  and  back,  and 
with  a  packet  of  three  very  long  slender  plumes  growing 
from  the  back  of  the  head.  Their  eyes  are  red,  while  those 
of  our  other  herons  are  yellow. 

Largest  of  our  herons  are  GREAT  BLUE  HERONS, 
sometimes  erroneously  called  "Cranes".  They  are  about 


46 

WOOD  DUCKS  are  generally  con- 
ceded to  be  the  most  beautiful  species 
found  in  this  or  any  other  country. 
They  formerly  nested  in  abundance 
about  our  lakes  but  have  been  becom- 
ing' more  scarce  each  year  and  are  now 
only  locally  reported  as  breeding. 
Hunting  them  for  their  beautiful  feath- 
ers and  their  flesh  has  done  even  more 
to  drive  them  away  than  the  cutting  off 
of  woods. 

They  nest  in  hollow  trees,  preferably 
a  trunk  leaning  out  over  the  water,  but 
lack  of  such  sites  causes  them  to  often 
nest  a  hundred  yards  or  more  away 
from  the  water's  edge.  The  ducklings 
are  hatched  covered  with  brown  and 
buff  down  and  either  tumble  down  from 
the  edge  of  the  hole  to  the  water  or 
are  carried  down  to  the  ground  in  the 
bill  of  the  duck. 

They  feed  upon  acorns,  insects  and 
berries  and  also  upon  tender  roots  of 
water  plants  and  shellfish  that  they  get 
from  shallow  water  by  dabbling  with 
1,1  the  bill  or  by  "tipping  up."  Their  flight 
is  swift  and  they  can  thread  their  wax 
through  woods  with  great  ease. 

four  feet  in  length,  far  exceeding  that  of  any  other  of  our 
species — truly  magnificent  as  they  slowly  flap  their  way 
across  the  sky  or  gracefully  tread  the  water's  edge.  BIT- 
TERNS are  mottled  brown  and  buff  colored  species  which 
inhabit  bogs,  their  color  making  them  very  inconspicuous 
when  quiet.  They  are  particularly  noted  for  the  peculiar 
"pumping"  love  song  which  they  utter  in  spring.  Their 
pale  brown  eggs  are  laid  in  grassy  hummocks  rising  above 
the  water.  The  eggs  of  other  herons  are  pale  bluish- 
green. 

Of  the  many  species  that  frequent  our  waters  during 
migration,  Wood  Ducks  and  Black  Ducks  are  the  only 
-ones  to  regularly  breed  within  our  range,  although  Ruddy 
Ducks,  Golden-eyes,  Teal,  Mallards  and  Hooded  Mergan- 
sers casually  do. 

Several  species  of  Gulls  are  found  along  our  coast  in 
winter,  most  common  of  which  are  the  well  known  HER- 
RING GULLS,  which  venture  into  our  harbors  and  act  as 
scavengers  from  the  water  about  the  docks.  Most  of  the 
Gulls  breed  in  the  far  north,  but  this  species  nests  abund- 
antly on  islands  off  the  Maine  coast  and  in  northern  New 
York. 


47 


Abbreviations — Summer,    s.;    Winter,    w. ;    Resident,    r.;    Transient,    t.; 
Visitor,  v.;  Common,  c. ;  Uncommon,  unc. ;  Abundant,  ab. ;  Accidental,  ac. ; 
Irregular,  irreg. 
A.O.U.No.  Name.  Breeds  Occurs  Arrives 


3. 
6. 
7. 
9. 
11. 
13. 
27. 
31. 
32 
34.' 
35. 
36. 
37. 
38. 
39. 
40. 
42. 
43. 
45. 
47. 
51. 
54. 
58. 
60. 
60. 
62. 
63. 
64. 
65. 
67. 
68. 
69. 
70. 
71. 
72. 
74. 
75. 
77. 
80. 
88. 
89. 
92. 
95. 
98. 
99. 
106. 
109. 
112. 
115. 
117. 
119. 
120. 
125. 
126. 
128. 
129. 
130. 
131. 
132. 
133. 

Horned  Grebe.  Colymbus  auritus    
Pied-billed    Grebe.     Podilymbus    podiceps.  . 
Loon.    Gavia  immer  
Black-thr.    Loon.     Gavia   arctica  

rarely  '.'. 
rarely.  . 

ctv!... 
ct  
ct  
rare,  t.. 

Oct.... 
Apr.  6. 
Apr.  1. 

rare,  w 
ac,  wv.. 
rare,  w 
rare,  w 

;:::E 

Black  Guillemot.    Cepphus  grylle  

Razor  billed  Auk.    Alca  torda  

Dovekie     Alle   alle      

unc,  wv 

Pomarine  Jaeger.    Stercorarius   pomarinus 

reg,  tv  . 
Ireg,  tv  . 
rare,  tv 

Junel. 
Juno  1  . 

Long-tailed    Jaeger.     S.    longicaudus  

Kittiwake      Rissa   t     tridactyla  

cwv  
(rare,  wv 
rare,  wv 
rare,  wv 
cwv  
ab,  wv. 
cwv  
rare,  sr 
ctv.  wv 
ac,  twice 
rare,  tv 
ac,  sv  .  . 
rare,  tv 

No  v.l. 

Oct.T.'. 
Sept.  1. 
Sept.  1. 

Sept!  i'. 

Glaucous  Gull.    Larus   hyperboreus  

Great   Black-backed  Gull.    L.   marinus.... 

nVN.'Y:: 

Ring-billed  Gull     L    delawarensis  

Laughing   Gull     L    atricilla          ..               ... 

in  Mass. 

Bonaparte   Gull.     L.    Philadelphia  
1.   Little  Gull.    L.    minutus  
Sabine  Gull     Xema  sabini                       

Gull-billed  Tern.    Gelochelidon   nilotica.  .  . 
Caspian  Tern    Sterna  caspia  

Cabot  Tern.    S    sandvicensis  acuflavida  

ac,  ?      . 

Trudeau  Tern     S    trudeaui      

ac,  once 

rare  tv 

Common   Tern.     S.    hirundo  
\rctic  Tern     S    paradisaea.  .  .  .  '.  

c,  July  1. 

csr  
rare  tv 

May  10 

Roseate  Tern.    S.  dougalli  

rarely... 
n  Mass  . 

sr  
rare,  sv. 
ac,  once, 
rare,  tv. 
rare,  sv. 
rare  sv 

May  10 

Sootv  Tern     S    f  uscata    

Black  Tern.  Hydrochelidon  n.  surinamensis 
Black  Skimmer.    Rynchops   nigra  
Cory   Shearwater      Pufflnus   borealis  

reg,  sv.. 
ac,  once, 
reg,  sv.. 
ac,  sv... 
ac,  once, 
rare,  tv. 
ab.  sv... 
ac,  once, 
ac,  once 

Aug... 

Ang'.;; 

u'iy'i'. 

Audubon   Shearwater.    P.   Iherminieri  
Sooty   Shearwater     P    griseus  

Black-capped  Petrel.    ^Estrelata  hasitata.  . 

Leach    Petrel.     Oceanodroma   leucorhoa.  .  .  . 
Wilson   Petrel.     Oceanites   oceanicus  
Yellow-billed  Tropic-bird.  Phaethon  am.... 
Booby     Sula  leucogastra  

Oct.... 
Apr  .  .  . 
Apr.  1. 

Aug'." 
Nov 

Double-crested  Cormorant     P.  a.  auritus... 

ctv  

White  Pelican.  Pelicanus  erythrorhynchos. 
Brown  Pelican.    P.  occidentalis  

ac,  twice 
ac.  once, 
ac,  twice 
wv  . 

'Ct 

Hooded  Merganser.  Lophodytes  cucullatus. 
Mallard.  Anas  platyrhynchos  
Black  Duck.    A.  rubrlpes  

arely... 

fffiS:: 

;v,wv,sr 
tv  
ctr,  sr... 

48 


Ko. 


Breeds  Occurs  Arrive; 


135. 
136. 
137. 
138. 
139. 
140. 
141. 
142. 
143. 
144. 
145. 
146. 
147. 
148. 
149. 
150. 
151. 
152. 
153. 
154. 
155. 
156. 
160. 
162. 
163. 
165. 
166. 
167. 
169. 
169a. 
169.1 
171a. 
172. 
172a. 
173.a 
174. 
175. 
180. 
181. 
184. 
186. 
187. 
188. 
190. 
191. 
194. 
196. 
197. 
199. 
200. 
201. 
202. 
203. 
204. 
206. 
208. 
211. 
212. 
214. 
215. 
216. 
217. 
218. 
219. 
221. 
222. 
223. 

Gadwall.     Chaulelasmus   streperus  

rare,  tv. 
ac  tv 

Mar.'  i'. 

ctv  
ac.  v  3 

Green-winged   Teal.    N.   carolinensis  

unc,  tv.  . 
ctv 



ac,  tv  
rare,  tv. 
ab   tv 

local  .... 

tv.sr.... 
ac,  once. 
ctv  
rare,  tv  . 
ab  tv 

Apr.  1. 

Nov.'  i' 
Ucti  1. 

Rufous-crested  Duck.    Netta  ruflna  

Lesser  Scaup  Duck,  M.m.   afflnis  

ctv,  wv. 
rare,  tv. 
ctv,  wv  . 
ac,  once, 
ctv,  wv. 
ab,  wv.. 
rare,  wv 
extinct  . 
rare,  wv 
reg,  wv  . 
cwv  
ab,  wv.. 
cwv  
ctv 

Barrow  Golden-eye.    C.   islandica  

Harlequin  Duck.  Histrionicus  histrionicus  
Labrador  Duck.   Camptorhynchus   labrad.  .  .  i  

Oct.  L 
Oct.  1. 

Ma'r.'i 
Ma'r.'i 

Ruddy   Duck       Erismatura  jamaicensis.  .  .  . 

Snow  Goose.    Chen.   h.   hyperboreus  
Greater  Snow  Goose.    C.  h.  nivalis  

rare,  wv 
rare.  tv. 
rare,  tv. 
rare,  tv. 
ctv,  wv. 
ac,  tv.... 
ctv  
ac,  v  
ac,  once, 
rare,  tv. 

White-fronted  Goose.    Anser  a.   gambeli... 

Hutchins  Goose.   B.    c.   hutchinsi  
Brant.    B.   bernicla  glaucogastra  

Whistling  Swan.    Olor  columbianus  

Trumpeter   Swan.    O.  buccinator  
White   Ibis    Guara   alba    

ac,tv....|  
ac,  twice  
ac  twice! 

White-faced  Glossy  Ibis    P.  guarauna  

Ap'r.'i 
May  1 
Apr.  1 

ac,  once, 
csr  
csr  
csr  
rare,  sv. 
rare,  sv. 
ac,  sv.  .. 
rare,  sv. 
ab,  sr  .  .  . 
ab.  sr... 
ac,  fall.. 
ac,  tv..  .  . 
ac,  tv.... 
local,  sr. 
csr  
csr  
icsr  
Tare,  tv. 
rare,  tv 

an    3 

c  May  15 

Least   Bittern      Ixobrychus   exilis  

c,  June  1 
local  

Great  Blue  Heron.    Ardea  h.   herodias  

Snowy  Egret.     Egretta  c.  candidissima.  .  .  . 
Louisiana   Heron.    Hydranassa  t.   ruflcollis. 

May'i 
Apr.  6 

Apr.'  1 
Apr.  1 
Apr.  2 
Apr.  3 
May  1 

Green    Heron.   Butorides   v.   virescens  
Bl'k-cr.  Night  Heron.  Nycticorax  n.  naevius 
Yell.-cr.   Night  Heron.  Nyctanassa  violacea 
Whooping  Crane.    Grus  americana  

c,  May  2C 
c.  May  l 

May  30. 
May  30. 
May  15. 
c.  May  3( 

Virginia   Rail.    R.    virginianus  

Yellow    Rail.     Coturnicops    noveboracensis. 
Black  Rail.    Creciscus  jamaicensis  

Purple  Gallinule.    lonornis  martinicus  
Florida   Gallinule.     Gallinula   galeata  
Coot.     Fulica    americana  
Red  Phalarope.    Phalaropus  fulicarius  
Northern   Phalarope.    Lobipes   lobatus  

:ac.  sv  .  . 
May  20..  local,  sr 
local  —  ctv,  sr... 
tv,  coast 
ctv  

May'i 
Apr.  2 

May'i 

No. 

Name.                                            Breeds  Occurs  Arrives 

224. 
225. 
226. 
228. 
230. 
231. 
231a. 
233. 
234. 
235. 
239. 
240. 
241. 
242. 
243. 
243a. 
244. 
246. 
247. 
248. 
249. 
251. 
254. 
255. 
256. 
258. 
260. 
261. 

263: 
264. 
265. 
266. 
269. 
270. 
272. 
273. 
274. 
277. 
2SO. 
283a. 
286. 
289. 
298c. 
300. 
301. 
306. 
310a 

315. 
316. 
320. 
325. 
326. 
327. 
331. 
332. 
333. 
334. 
337. 
339. 
342. 
343. 
347a 
349. 
352. 
353. 

Wilson  Phalarope.    Steganopus  tricolor.... 

rare.  tv. 
ac,  fall., 
ac.  fall., 
csr  
ctv  
ctv  
tv  
tv  
ab,  tv... 
rare  wv 

Mar.  10 
Apr.  10 
May  1. 
May  1. 
May  15 
May  15 

Black-necked   Stilt.  Himantopus  mexicanus 
Woodcock.     Philohela    minor  
Wilson  Snipe.    Gallinago  delicata  
Dowitcher.    Macrorhamphus   g.    griseus.... 

c',  Apr.'  20 
rarely... 

Long-billed  Dowitcher.    M.   g.   scolopaceus. 
Stilt  Sandpiper.    Micropalama   hlmantopus. 
Knot.     Tringa   canutus  

Purple   Sandpiper.   Arquatella   m.    maritima 

ctv 

May  10 

White-rumped   Sandpiper.     P.   fusclcollis... 

ctv  
ctv 

Baird  Sandpiper.    P    bairdi    

ab  tv. 

May  8. 
May'  l' 

ac,  once, 
ctv  

Red-backed  Sandpiper.    P.  a.  sakhalina.  .  .  . 

Semipalmated    Sand.    Ereunetes   pusillus... 

ab,  tv... 
rare,  tv 

May  1. 

Western   Sandpiper     E    mauri  

ab,  tv... 

Apr.  1. 

Hudsonian   Godwit.     L    haemastica      

rare,  tv. 
ctv  
ctv,  fall. 

Sept.  9. 
Apr.  1. 

Greater  Yellow-legs.  Totanus  melanoleucus 
Yellow-legs.     T.    flavipes  



Solitary  Sandpiper.    Helodromas  solitarius. 

ctv  
v,  fall... 
ac  

SK.S 

Ruff.    Machetes    pugnax  

Upland  Plover.    Bartramia  longicauda  
Buff-breasted  Sandpiper.   T.  subruflcollis.  .  . 
Spotted   Sandpiper.   Actitis   macularia  
Long-billed  Curlew.  Numenius  americanus. 

May  20.. 
c.  May  20 

local.... 
rare.  tv. 
csr  
rare,  tv. 
tv,  fall., 
rare,  tv. 
ac  
ctv,  fall, 
ctv,  fall. 

ab,  tv'.'.'. 
sr  
ac,  sv  .  .  . 

Apr.  20 
Apr.'  20 

sept::: 

Aug."  20 
Mar.  15 
Mayl. 
Apr.  1. 

Eskimo    Curlew.     N.    borealis  
Lapwing.    Vanellus  vanellus  
Black-bellied  Plover.  Squatarola  squatarola 
Golden   Plover.   Charadrius  d.  dominicus... 
Kllldeer.    Oxyechus  vociferus  
Semipalmated  Plov.  ^Egialitis  semipalmata 
Piping    Plover     JE.    meloda  

June  16:: 

Ruddy    Turnstone.    Arenaria   i.    morinella-.  .  i  
Ovster-catcher.    Haematopus   palliatus            1  

ctv  
ac,  sv... 

rfn/N.'Y. 
cr  

May  10 

Bob-White.    Colinus   v.    virginianus  c,  May  20 
Spruce  Partridge.  Canachites  c.   canace  ....  local  .... 
Ruffed  Grouse.  Bonasa  u.  umbellus  c,  May  1. 

formerly 
formerly 
Intro.... 

ctv,  form 
csr  
ac,  sv  .  .  . 
rare,  sv. 

Wild  Turkey.  Meleagris  g.   silvestris  
Pheasant.    Phasianus    torquatus  
Passenger  Pigeon.   Ectopistes   migratorius. 
Mourning  Dove.   Zenaidura  m.    carolinensis 
Ground  Dove.  Chaemepelia  p.  terrestris.  .  .  . 
Turkey  Vulture.  Cathartes  septentrionalis. 
Black   Vulture.   Catharista  urubu  
Swallow-tailed    Kite.    Elanoides'  forflcatus. 
Marsh  Hawk.    Circus  hudsonius  
Pharp-shinned  Hawk.  Accipiter  velox  

formerly 
ntro.... 
formerly 
c,  Apr.  25 

Ma'r.'20 

c.  May  16 
c.  May  10 
c.  May  10 

ac,  sv... 
csr  
ctv.  sr... 
ctv.sr.wr 
wv  
cr  
cr  
ac,  v  

Ap'r'.'i: 

Oct.  10. 

Red-tailed  Hawk.    Buteo   b.   borealis  C,  Apr.  1. 
Red-shouldered  Hawk.  B.  1.  lineatus  C,Apr.25 
Swainson    Hawk    B     swainsonl                             

Broad-winged   Hawk.    B.    platypterus  C.May  20 
Rough-legged  Hawk.  Archib.   1.  s.-johannis  
Golden   Eagle    Aquila  chrvsaetos                        

ctv,  sr... 
wv  
ac.  v  

Mar.  20 
Nov.... 

Bald   Eagle.   Haliaetus   1.   leucocephalus....  local  — 

tv,  sr  
ac.  v.... 

No. 


50 


Breeds  Occurs  Arrives 


354a 
354b 
356a 
357. 
360. 
364. 
365. 
366. 
367. 
368. 
370. 
371. 
372. 
373. 
375. 
376. 
377a 
378. 
387. 
388. 
390. 
393. 
394c 
400. 
401. 
402. 
405a 
406. 
409. 
412. 
417. 
420. 
423. 
428. 
444. 
445. 
447. 
452. 
456. 
459. 
461. 
463. 
465. 
466a. 
467. 
473. 
474. 
474b 
477. 
484. 
486a. 
488. 
490. 
493. 
494. 
495. 
497. 
498. 
501. 
506. 
507. 
508. 
509. 
511. 
511b. 
514. 

Gyrfalcon.   F.  rusticolus  gyrfalco  

ac,  wv...]  

Duck  Hawk.  F.  peregrinus  anatum  
Pigeon   Hawk.    F.   c.   columbarius  
Sparrow  Hawk.  F.  s.  sparverius  
Osprey.   Pandion    haliaetus  carolinensis.  .  .  . 
Barn  Owl.   Aluco   pratincola  

local  .... 

c!  May  1( 
local  .  .  . 

ac.  wv.. 
unc,  sr. 
ctv,  sr.. 
ctv,  sr.. 
ctv,  sr.. 
local,  sr 

Ma'r.'i'. 
Apr.  15 

Long-eared  Owl.  Asio  wilsonianus  
Short-eared  Owl.  A.   flammeus  
Barred  Owl.   Strix  v.   varia.  
Great   Gray  Owl.   Scotiaptes   n.   nebulosa... 
Richardson  Owl.  Cryptoglaux  f.  richardsoni 
Saw-  whet  Owl.  C.   a.   acadica  
Screech  Owl.   Otus  a.   asio  
Great  Horned  Owl.   Bubo  v.  virginianus.  .  .  . 
Snowy  Owl.   Nyctea  nyctea  
Hawk   Owl.    Surnia   ulula   caparoch  

c,  May  15 
local  .... 

cr  
wv.  sr.  .  .  |  

c.  Mar.  20 

cr  i  
ac,  wv.-.i  
ac,  wv..  .  

local  .... 
c.May  10 
c.  Mar.  1 

wv,  sr... 
cr  
cr  
rare,  wv 
rare,  wv 

May's.'. 
May  1. 
Mar.  30 

May'  1. 

May'  i'. 
May  5. 
Apr.  25 
May  1. 
May  1. 

Slay"  5. 
Ma?.  20 
May  20 
May  10 
May  10 
May  10 
May  20 
May  1. 

Nov.'.'.'. 

Yellow-billed  Cuckoo.   Coccyzus  a.  am  
Black-billed  Cuckoo.    C.   erythrophthalmus. 
Belted   Kingfisher.   Ceryle   alcyon  
Hairy    Woodpecker.    Dryobates    v.    villosus. 
Downy  Woodpecker.  D.  pubescens  med  
Arctic    3-toed  Woodpecker.  Picoides  arcticus 
Three-toed  Woodpecker.   P.   a.   americanus. 
Yell-bell.  Sapsucker.  Sphyrapicus  varius... 
Pileated  "Wood.   Phloeotomus   p.   abieticola. 
Red-headed  Wood.   Melanerpes  erythroceph 
Red-bellied  Woodpecker.  Centurus  carolinus 
Northern  Flicker.  Colaptes  a.  lutens  

c.  May  30 
c,  May  25 
ab.Mayl 
c.  May  20 
ab,May20 
rare  

ocal  .'... 
local  .... 
c.  May  15 

a'b.Mayio 
c,  June  1 
abjunel 
ab.May25 
c.  May  15 
ab.Mav25 

c,  Junel. 
ab.Mayl 

csr  
csr  
ab.  sr... 
cr  
ab,  r  
rare,  wv 
rare,  wv 
ctv,  sr.  .  . 
rare.  r.  .  . 
csr  
rare,  sv. 
ab,  r  
csr  
db,  sr... 
ab,  sr... 
csr  
ab,  sr... 
ac  
ac  
csr  
ib,  sr.  .  . 
;v  
ab,  sr... 
ctv,  sr... 

Nighthawk.    Chordeiles   v.    virginianus  
Chimney  Swift.  Chaetura  pelagica  
Ruby-thr.Hummingbird.Archilochus  colubris 
Kingbird.    Tvrannus   tyrannus  
Gray    Kingbird.    T.    dominicensis  
Arkansas   Kingbird.   T.    verticalis  
Crested    Flycatcher.    Myiarchus    crinitus... 
Phoebe.    Sayornis   phoebe  
Olive-sided  Flycatcher.  Nuttallornis  borealis 
Wood   Pewee.    Myiochanes  virens  
Yell-bell.  Flycatcher.  Empidonax  flaviventris 

abjunel 
ocal    ... 

n    Afav9S 

Alder   Flycatcher.    E.    trailli    alnorum  local  tv,  sr  
Least  Flycatcher.    E.   minimus  ab.May20|ab,  sr... 
Skylark.    AlaucTa    arvensis  intro.L.I  intro  
Horned  Lark.    Otocoris  a.   alpestris  ;cwv  
Prairie  Horned  Lark.  O.   a.  praticola  jc,  w.N.Yitv.sr  
Blue  Jav;  Cyanocitta  c.  cristata  ab.MavlSiab.  r  

Canada  Jay.    Perisoreus    c.    canadensis  
Northern   Raven.   Corvus  corax  principalis. 
Crow.    Corvus    brachyrhynchos  
Fish    Crow.    C.    ossifragus  

0,  n.N.Ylr,  n,  N.Y 
n,  N.  Y..  rare  
ab.Apr.20ab,  r  
c.May  ISicsr,  r.... 

Bobolink.    Dolichonyx   orvzivorus  
Cowbird.    Molothrus    a.    a'ter  
Yell.-headed    Blackbird.    X.    xanthocephalus 
Red-wing.  Blackbird.  Agelaius  p.  phoeniceus 
Meadowlark.    Sturnella    m.    magna  
Orchard  Oriole.  Icterus  spurius  
Baltimore  Oriole.   I.   galbula  
Bullock   Oriole.    I.    bullocki  
Rusty   Blackbird.    Euphagus   carolinus  
Purple   Grackle.   Quiscalus   q.  quiscula  
Bronzed  Grackle.   O.   quiscula  aeneus  
Evening  Grosbeak.  Hesperiphona  vespertina 

c.May  30  csr  
c.  May  5.  csr  

May  5.. 
May  15 

Ma'r.'i! 
Mar.l. 
May  5. 
May  1. 

Mar.'i.' 
Mar.l. 
Mar.l. 

ab.MaylSab,  sr... 
ab.Mayls  ab,  sr,  v. 
c.  May  30;csr  
c.May  25icsr  
ac  
n,  N.  Y..Jctv  
c.  May  l.Icsr  
c.  May  1.  csr  
:rare.  wv 

51 


Breeds  Occurs  Arrives 


515. 

517. 

521. 
522. 
527a. 
528. 
52Sa. 
52  Sb. 
529. 
533. 

534. 
536. 
538. 
540. 
541. 
542a. 
545. 
546. 
547. 
548. 
549. 
549.1 
549.1 
550. 
552. 
554. 
558. 
559. 
560. 
563. 
567. 
581. 
583. 
584. 
585. 
587. 
593. 
595. 
597. 
598. 
601. 
604. 
605. 
608. 
610. 
611. 
612. 
613. 
614. 
616. 
617. 
618. 
619. 
621. 
622e 
624. 
626. 
627. 
628. 
629. 
631. 
636. 
637. 
639. 
641. 

Pine  Grosbeak.  Pinioola  enucleator  leucura' 
English   Sparrow,    Passer   domesticus  
Purple    Finch.     Carpodacus    p.    purpureus.  . 
Crossbill.    Loxia   curvirostra    minor  
White-winged  Crossbill.     L.   leucoptera.  .  .  . 
Hoary   Redpoll.  Acanthis  hornem.   exilipes. 
Redpoll    A    linaria  

ib,  intro 
3.  May  20 
n  N  Y 

wv  
ab.  r  
csr,  wr.  . 

Apr.Y. 

I.N.Y.. 

rare,  wv 
rare,  wv 
ab,  wv.. 

Holboell    Redpoll.    A.    1.    holboelli  

rare,  wv 
rare,  wv 
cr  
wv,  ctv. 
intro.... 
ab,  wv.  . 
rare,  wv 
ac  
ab,  sr... 
wv  
ctv,  sr... 
ac  
csr  
csr  

Apr.'  5'. 
Apr.'  l". 

Goldfinch.    Astragalinus    tristis  
Pine   Siskin.    Spinus   pinus  
European  Goldfinch.  Carduelis  carduelis... 
Snow    Bunting.    Pleclrophenax    n.    nivalis.  . 
Lapland  Longspur.  Calcarius  1.   lapponicus. 
Chestnut-collared   Longspur.    C.    ornatus... 
Vesper   Sparrow,   Pooecetes  g.   gramineus.. 
Ipswich    Sparrow.    Passerculus    princeps..., 
Savannah  Spar.  P.  sandwichensis  savanna. 
Baird    Sparrow.    Ammodramus    bairdi  
Grasshopper  Sparrow.  A.  savan.  australis.. 
Henslow   Spar.   Passerherbulus,   h.    henslowi 

c  June  30 
a.N.Y.. 
mtro  

ab.Mayis 

iocal  .  '.  .  . 

c.  May  30 
c,  May  20 

May  5. 
May  1. 

Sharp-tailed   Sparrow.   P.    caudacutus  

c.  May  30 

csr  
ctv  
rare,  tv. 
csr,  ac  .  . 
unc,  tv.. 
ctv,  sr  .  . 

ab,  wv." 
ab,  sr  .  .  . 
iab.  sr... 
cwv,  sr.. 
ab.  sr... 
rare,  tv. 
csr  
ab  tv 

May'  16 
May  1. 

NoV.Y. 
Apr.  1. 
Apr.l. 

a  Acad.  Sharp-tailed  Spar.  P.  n.  subvirgatus 
Seaside  Sparrow.  P.   m.   maritimus  
Lark  Sparrow,  Chondestes  g.  grammacus.. 
White-cr.  Sparrow.  Zonotrichia.  1.  leucophrys 
White-throated   Sparrow.    Z.    albicollis  
Tree   Sparrow.    Spizella   m.    monticola  

j;.n* 

ab.Mayis 

Sb«5 

ab.Mayl 
c".  May  15 

Field  Sparrow.   S.    p.    pusilla  
Slate-colored   Junco.   Junco.    h.   hyemalis... 

Lincoln    Sparrow.    M.    1.    lincolni  
Swamp    Sparrow.    M.    georgiana  
Fox  Sparrow    Passerella  i    iliaca  

Mar.  20 
Mar.  15 
Apr.  20 

May's. 
Way's'. 

:  May's". 

May'l. 
May  5. 
Apr.  20 
Apr.  5. 
Apr.  25 
Apr.  25 

i'.'.'.'.'.'.. 

Towhee.   Pipilo  e.   erythrophthalmus  
Cardinal.   Cardinalis  c.  cardinalis  
Rose-br.  Grosbeak.  Zamelodia  ludoviciana. 

ab,Mayl5 
c,  local., 
c.  May  20 

ab,  sr... 

c'iv.v.:::: 

ac  
csr  

Indigo    Bunting.    Passerina    cyanea  

c,  May  30 

Dickcissel.      Spiza  americana  
Lark  Bunting.  Calamospiza  melanocorys.  .  . 
Scarlet  Tanager.  Piranga  erythromelas.  .  .  . 

rare  
c,  June  J 

rare,  sv. 
ac  
csr  
rare,  sv. 
unc,  sr.. 
csr  
ab,  sr... 
csr  
ab,  sr... 
csr  
'rare,  wv 
csr,  wr.. 

Purple   Martin.   Progne   subis  
Cliff  Swallow.  Petrochelidon  1.  lunifrons... 
Barn    Swallow.    Hirundo    erythrogastra.  .  .  . 
White-bellied  Swallow.  Iridoprocne   bicolor 

May  25.. 
c.  May  30 
ab.May20 
c.  May  20 
ab.May20 
May  30.. 

c,  June  20 

Rough-wing  Swallow.  Stelgidopteryx  serri. 
Bohemian  Waxwing.   Bombycilla   garrula  .  . 
Cedar  Waxwing.  B.  cedrorum   

Migrant  Shrike    L    ludovfcianus  migrans... 

local 

Red-eyed   Vireo.    Vireosylva   olivacea  
Philadelphia  Vireo.  V.  philadelphica  

c.  May  25:csr  
(rare,  tv. 
c.May  30  car  
c.May  25  csr  
local  ctv,  sr... 
c.  May  25  csr  
c.May20icsr  
ac,  sv.. 
local  —  j  local,  sr. 
c,  May25|csr  

May  1. 

May'  L 
Apr.  25 
Apr.  20 
May  1. 
jApr.  25 

Yell.  -throated  Vireo.  Lanivireo  flavifrons.. 
Blue-headed  Vireo.   L.    s.    solitarius  
White-eyed  Vireo.    Vireo    g.    griseus  
Black  and  Wh.   Warbler.   Mniotilta  varia.  . 
Prothonotary  Warbler.   Protonotaria  citrea 
Worm-eating  Warb.  Helmitheros  vermivorus 
Blue-winged   Warbler.  Vermivora  pinus... 

May'  5. 

52 


No. 


Breeds  Occurs  Arrives 


642. 

645. 
646. 
647. 
648a. 
650. 
652. 
654. 
655. 
657. 
658. 
659. 
660. 
661. 
662. 
663. 
665. 
671. 
672a. 
673. 
674. 
675. 
675a 
676. 
677. 
678. 
679. 
681. 
683. 
684. 
685. 
686. 
687. 
697. 
703. 
704. 
705. 
718. 
721. 
722. 
724. 
725. 
726. 
727. 
728. 
729. 
731. 
735. 
736. 
740a. 
748. 
749. 
751. 
755. 
756. 
757. 
757a 
758a. 
759b. 
761. 
763. 
765a. 
766. 

Golden-winged  Warbler.   V.   chrysoptera.  .  . 
Lawrence   Warbler.   V.    lawrencei  
Brewster   Warbler.    V.    leucobronchialis.  .  .  . 
Nashville    Warbler.    V.    rubricapilla  
Orange-crowned  Warbler.   V.  c.  celata  
Tennessee  Warbler.  V.   peregrina  
Parula  Warbler.  Compsothlypis  am.  usneae 
Cape  May  Warbler.   Dendroica  tigrina  
Yellow   Warbler  D    a    aestiva  

May  30.. 
rare  
rare  
May  25.. 

rare  ..'.','. 
c.  May  25 

c"M'ay'20 
local  .... 

iocal  '.'.'.'. 

unc.w.NY 
c.  May  25 

unc.  sr.. 
rare,  tv. 
rare,  sr. 
ctv,  sr... 
rare,  tv. 
tv.sr.... 
csr  ....... 
rare,  tv. 
csr  
ctv,  sr... 
ctv,  wr.. 
ctv.  sr  .. 
rare,  sr 
csr  
tv  
ab,  tv... 
ctv  
ac  
csr  
ctv,  sr  .. 
ctv  
sr  
ab.  sr... 
ctv,  sr... 
rare,  tv. 
csr  
csr  
ctv,  fall, 
rare,  tv. 
ab,  sr... 
csr  
csr  
ctv  
ctv,  sr... 
csr  

May  10 

May'  i'. 

May'  10 
May  5. 
May  10 
May  1. 
May  5. 
Apr.  1. 
May  5. 

May'  5. 
May  15 
May  10 
May  15 

Apr  .'25 
Apr.  15 
Apr.  15 
May  5. 
Apr.  20 
May  1. 

Apr.'i5 
May  10 

May'5'. 
May  5. 
May  5. 
May  10 
May  10 
May  1. 

Black-thr.  Blue  Warbler.  D.  c.  caerulescens 
Myrtle    Warbler.    D.    coronata  
Magnolia  Warbler.   D.   magnolia  
Cerulean   Warbler.   D.   caerulea  
Chestnut-sided  Warbler.   D.   pensylvanica.  . 
Bay-breasted    Warbler.    D.    castanea  
Black-poll    Warbler     D     striata 

Blackburnian    Warbler.    D.    fusca  
Yell.  -throated  Warbler.   D.   d.    dominica.  .  .  . 
Black-thr.    Green   Warbler.   D.   virens  
Pine    Warbler.    D.    Vigors!  

c,  n,  N.Y 

c',  'May  25 
May  25.. 

Yellow  Palm  Warbler.  D.  palmarium   hypo. 
Prairie   Warbler     D    discolor 

Oven-bird.     Seiurus     aurocapillus  
Water-Thrush.    S.    n.    noveboracensis  
Grinnell  Water-Thrush.   S.   n.   notabilis  

ab,May20 
local  .... 

Louisiana  Water-Thrush.    S.   motacilla  
Kentucky   Warbler.   Oporornis    formosus... 
Connecticut   Warbler.   O.   agilis  
Mourning    Warbler.    O.    Philadelphia  

c,  May  15 
c,  June  1 

Maryland  Yellow-throat.  Geothlvpis  trichasiab,May25 
Yellow-breasted   Chat.    Icteria   v.    virens.  ..  C.  May  25 
Hooded    Warbler.    Wilsonia    citrina  C,  May  20 
Wilson   Warbler    W    p    pusilla                           I 

Canada    Warbler.    W.    canadensis  

n,  N.  Y.. 
c,  May  20 

Redstart.    Detophaga   ruticilla  

Mockingbird.  Mimus  p.   polyglottos  local  ....  unc,  sr.  . 
Catbird.    Dumetella   carolinensis  ab,May20  ab,  sr.  .. 
Brown  Thrasher.    Toxostoma  rufum  |ab,May20  ab,  sr... 
Carolina  Wren.    Thryothorus   ludovicianus  .  local  'r  
House  Wren.     Troglodytes  a.   aedon  c.  May  20  csr  

Apr.  25 
Apr.  25 

Apr  .'25 

Short-bill.   Marsh  Wren.   Cistoth.    stellatus. 
Long-bill.  Marsh  Wren.  Telmato.  palustris. 
Brown    Creeper.   Certhia   Familiaris   am.... 
White-bf.   Nuthatch.    Sitta  c.   carolinensis.. 
Red-breasted  Nuthatch.    S.    canadensis  
Brown-headed  Nuthatch.  S.   pusilla  
Tufted   Titmouse.    Parus   bicolor  
Chickadee.   Penthestes   a.   atricapillus  
Carolina  Chickadee.   P.   c.   carolinensis  
Acadian  Chickadee.  P.  hudsonicus  llttoralis 
Golden-cr.   Kinglet.   Regulus   s.   satrapa.... 
Ruby-crowned  Kinglet.   R.  c.   calendula.  .  .  . 
Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher.   Polioptila  caerulea 
Wood    Thrush.    Hvlocichla    mustelina  

Junel.  .  . 

nUNeY.-: 
c.  May.. 
n.N.  Y.. 

iocal  !  '.  '.  '. 
ab,May20 

mts  
local.... 

rare  
ab.May20 
c  May  20 

sr  
ab,  sr  .  .. 
ctv,  sr  .. 
r  
ctv,  sr... 
ac  
r  

KS: 

ctv,  sr... 
ctv  
rare,  sv. 
ab,  sr... 
csr  
ctv  
rare,  tv. 
ctv,  sr.  .  . 
ctv,  sr... 
csr.  r.... 
ac  .  .  . 

May  10 
May  10 

Apr  .'26 

Apr  .'25 
May  1. 
May  10 

May  '16 
Apr.  10 

Bicknell  Thrush.   H.   a.   bicknelli  
Olive-backed   Thrush.   H.   ustulata  sw-ains.  . 
Hermit  Thrush.    H.    guttata  pallasi  
Robin.    Planesticus   m.    migratorius  

mts  
local  .... 
mts  
ab,Apr,20 

Greenland  Wheatear.   Saxicola  o.  leucorhoa 
Bluebird     Sialia   s     sialis 

lac  
ab,Apr.20csr  

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~YOF  -'-1RN1 


'VERSITV  OF   r 


